The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, a key constituent of the opposition INDIA bloc on Wednesday released the party manifesto, which claims to repeal the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and NEET exams in the state, for the Lok Sabha Elections.
The Southern party also released the list of candidates for 21 seats for the April 19 polls and allotted the remaining 18 seats to its allies–Congress, Left parties and VCK among others. The party retained several sitting MPs, including Kanimozhi, TR Baalu and A Raja among others.
Scrapping of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA), ban on NEET as well and disbanding of the current NITI Aayog, set up by the BJP regime include some of the assurances made by the DMK if voted to power.
Here are some of the highlights from the DMK Manifesto
Ban on NEET, NEP
The DMK has vowed to ban the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), which it had opposed since its onset, if the INDIA bloc is voted to power.
The NEP was rolled out by the Centre in July 2020 and replaced the previous National Policy on Education, in 1986.
Formerly known as the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), NEET is an all-India pre-medical entrance test for students who wish to pursue undergraduate medical courses such as MBBS and BDS in government and private institutions in India.
There have been demands to scrap the NEET in the southern state following multiple cases of suicides among students.
No CAA and UCC
The DMK manifesto also reiterates the party’s commitment to not implement the Citizenship Amendment rules and Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. While the Citizenship Amendment rules were implemented by the Union government this month, the UCC is one of the promises in BJP’s previous manifestoes.
The party has, however, promised to award Indian citizenship to returning Sri Lankan Tamils.
DMK to One Nation, One Election Policy
DMK also promised to oppose the “One Nation, One Election” proposal in its manifesto. On March 14, the high-level committee led by Ram Nath Kovind on ‘One Nation, One Election’ submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu.
Statehood for Puducherry
In its Lok Sabha Polls manifesto, the DMK has promised statehood for Puducherry, which is currently a Union Territory. As of now, the Puducherry Union Territory has a legislative assembly with 30 seats.
SC Branch in Chennai, Federal Rights for States
Apart from other guarantees, the DMK also promised the establishment of a Supreme Court Branch in Tamil Nadu and federal Rights for States if voted to power in the coming Lok Sabha Elections.
The party also stated that the Indian Constitution would be altered to provide federal rights to the states. Financial aid for women and establishment of new IIM, IITs etc in the state.
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