The DMK on Tuesday released its manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Among the 100-point agenda outlined in the manifesto were commitments to critical policy initiatives, including introduction of reservation in the private sector and Constitutional amendments to leave reservation policy and education solely in the hands of State governments.
The DMK interestingly blamed NGOs for price rise and difficulties in the repayment of external debt. “During the last few years
there is a trend of increasing inflation. Similarly, there is a crisis in repayment of external debts. The DMK believes that the basic reason for this is the increase in interference of non-governmental institutions in the policy decisions... as a result the scare among investors. Hence, the DMK will urge the Centre to make appropriate efforts to control the interference of non-governmental institutions in the policy decisions of the Centre,” read the section on economic policy.
The DMK also committed itself to the formulation of a national policy for the protection of senior citizens, support for the Women’s Reservation Bill, pressure for supporting a referendum to determine a lasting political solution to the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, reservations for Muslims in line with the recommendations of the Ranganath Mishra Commission, categorisation of fishermen under the Scheduled Tribes list, full statehood for Puducherry, total prohibition of FDI in the retail sector and a complete waiver of education and farm loans.