DMK election manifesto "hero of 2006": Chidambaram

Tiruchirapalli, Apr 24 (UNI) Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said the DMK's election manifesto would be the ''hero of 2006.'' Addressing a publc meeting here last night, he said it was for the people to decide whether they want rice for Rs two per kg or not.

Mr Chidambaram said, ''It is practicable to supply rice for Rs two per kg and also free land for landless agricultural labourers.'' Criticising the ruling AIADMK government led by J Jayalalithaa, he urged the people of the state to put an end to her autocratic rule and termed the government as a ''tragic comedy.'' He said the AIADMK was rattled by the DMK's poll manifesto, which offer free colour TV sets, rice Rs two per kg, free land, among others.

He also urged the people to repeat the 2004 Lok Sabha polls verdict when the AIADMK was defeated enmasse. ''Had I been in the position of Ms Jayalalithaa, I would have resigned from the Chief Minister's post after the defeat,'' he said.

Mr Chidambaram dismissed Ms Jayalalithaa's claim that Self Help Group (SHG) was her concept and said the idea started during the tenure of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1982-83 and in Tamil Nadu, it was formed during the DMK regime in 1989.

He recalled various welfare schemes brought to the state including as, Sethu Samudram Project, announcement to set-up Institute of Port Management, allocation of Rs 100 crore for Madras University among others.

On the AIADMK's criticism over non-release of funds by the Centre when the state was affected by natural calamities, he urged the people to put an end to such confusions and give a clear verdict in the Assembly polls.

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