DMK Manifesto 2024: No NEP, NEET In Tamil Nadu And More

Tamil Nadu's DMK party released its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on Wednesday, with state CM MK Stalin, DMK MP Kanimozhi, and other party leaders present. The party also announced its first list of candidates for the General Election, including Kalanidhi Veeraswamy for North Chennai, Thamizhachi Thangapandian for South Chennai, Dayanidhi Maran for Central Chennai, TR Baalu for Sriperumbudur, Annadurai for Thiruvanamalai, A Raja for Nilgiris, and Kanimozhi for Thoothukudi.

Kanimozhi, after unveiling the manifesto, expressed gratitude to MK Stalin for appointing her as the head of the manifesto committee. She emphasized the significance of the Dravidian model of governance in Tamil Nadu and expressed confidence in securing a substantial number of seats not only in the state but also across the country.

• Amendments to the Indian Constitution to grant federal rights to states
• Establishment of a Supreme Court branch in Chennai
• Grant of statehood to Puducherry
• Withdrawal of the National Education Policy (NEP)
• Implementation of 33% reservation for women
• Introduction of a morning meal scheme for government schools
• Ban on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)
• Monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 for women nationwide
• Removal of toll gates
• Repeal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA)
• Measures to suspend student education loans
• Repeal of Article 361, which provides power to the Governor
• Establishment of new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and Indian Institute of Agricultural Research (IIARI)

Highlights of the DMK manifesto include opposition to the implementation of CAA and UCC, rejection of the National Education Policy and NEET in Tamil Nadu, the demand for appointment of Governors in consultation with the CM until the office of Governor is abolished, and the proposal to declare Thirukural as the 'National Book'. The manifesto also promises 33% reservation for women in parliament and assembly, Tamil language exams for Union Government Jobs, and a separate financial statement for the Railway Department.

The DMK has finalised its seat-sharing arrangement with ally Congress, allocating nine seats in Tamil Nadu and one in Puducherry to Congress, while contesting from the remaining 21 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu. Their candidates will contest from Chennai North, Chennai South, Chennai Central, Sriperumbudur, Arakkonam, Kancheepuram (SC), Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Dharmapuri, Kallakurichi, Salem, Pollachi, Nilgiris (SC), Coimbatore, Theni, Arani, Perambalur, Erode, Thanjavur, Tenkasi (SC), and Thoothukudi.