CHENNAI: DMK chief M K Stalin on Saturday released the party’s election manifesto, calling it the “second hero” — party candidates being the “first hero” — and promising a slew of benefits like one-year maternity leave and free bus passes to women to travel in city and town buses. The party has promised to reserve 75% of jobs in industries for Tamils.
All ration card holders would be given a one-time financial assistance of Rs 4,000 each, he said.
The document also seeks to appease Hindus by promising to earmark Rs 1,000 crore to renovate and consecrate temples and extend financial aid of Rs 25,000 each to 1 lakh people for undertaking pilgrimage.
Stalin said, if voted to office, special courts would be set up to try AIADMK ministers facing corruption charges. The probe into Jayalalithaa’s death would be speeded up, he said.
The document has 500 promises, including waiver of education loans (for those under 30) and reduction in fuel prices, which Stalin has been promising in recent campaigns. The party says price of diesel would be brought down by Rs 4 and petrol by Rs 5 per litre. Gas cylinder price would be reduced by Rs 100, he said. Another promise that would have far-reaching impact is reduction in price of Aavin milk by Rs 3 per litre.
In a balancing act, the party has promised to allocate Rs 200 crore to maintain churches and mosques too.