AIADMK releases election manifesto

AIADMK on Tuesday released its manifesto ahead of the ensuing General elections and among its major promises said it would urge the Centre to launch an international probe into the alleged genocide and war crimes committed by Sri Lanka on Tamils.

Releasing the party's manifesto Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said it will also reveal the names of leaders of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Congress parties who were allegedly involved in the alleged genocide.

Poverty eradication scheme that would grant Rs 1, 500 to people Below Poverty Line (BPL), Technical Education Skill Development Centre for youngsters, water management schemes for drought-affected area, statehood for the Puducherry, educational loan waiver and exemption Tamil Nadu students from NEET are among the major promises made by the ruling AIADMK party in their election manifesto.

"The money of those below the poverty line will be directly deposited in their bank accounts under the Amma poverty eradication scheme," said Panneerselvam while releasing the manifesto in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and other senior leaders at the party head office here.

The ruling party's manifesto also promised to link Godavari and Cauvery rivers and also plans to divert water to drought-hit areas. It also planned to launch various schemes to boost the groundwater table in the state.

Among other demands, it said it will also press Centre to transfer the "education portfolio" to the State government while also promising to exempt the state from NEET (The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), an annual medical examination for entry into Medical Colleges. It said it will also urge for making Tamil an official language in the state High Court.

The ruling party in the manifesto also reiterated its stand to continue to urge the Centre to release the seven individuals convicted for their involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

It said it will urge the Centre to pass laws to extend job quotas to those who covert to Christianity and Islam.

On March 18, in a joint press conference held by the BJP, AIADMK, PMK, and DMDK, it was announced that AIADMK will contest on 20 Lok Sabha seats including Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Krishnagiri, Erode, Karur, Thiruppur, Pollachi, Arani, Thiruvannamalai, Chidambaram, Perambalur, Theni, Madurai, Nilagiri, Tirunelveli, Nagapattinam, Mayiladururai, Thiruvallur, Chennai south, Perambalur.

Tamil Nadu will go to polls on April 18 for its 39 parliamentary constituencies, while counting of votes will take place on May 23.