Chennai: In 2006, when Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) stormed back to power, everyone was in praise of M Karunanidhi. But the then DMK president had remarked that the party’s manifesto was the hero of elections.
Five years later, AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa unseated the DMK with a manifesto that was packed with promises. Cut to the present, in the absence of Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa, their parties — the DMK and AIADMK — are gearing up to face their first major test in the form of Lok Sabha elections and are paying extra attention to manifestos.
Since by-election to 18 vacant constituencies is also to be conducted along with parliamentary polls, this is being viewed as a mini-Assembly election. For, victory in these seats is crucial for the AIADMK to continue in power and for DMK to come back to power. Hence, more than the national parties, BJP and Congress, stakes are high for the two Dravidian majors which are gearing up to roll out attractive promises that would woo voters.
Sources in both parties claim that they are ready with their manifestos which will be released very soon by their leadership.
According to an AIADMK leader who was part of the team formed to draft the manifesto, “There will be positive promises which would strike a chord with the voters. Each and every sentence has been framed carefully keeping in mind various aspects, including the needs of people and financial situation of the State. Projects that would do good to Tamilnadu will be proposed.”
After forming a manifesto committee, DMK president M K Stalin sprang a surprise recently by inviting the public to send suggestions that could be included in the election manifesto of the party. “It is an opportunity to take part in the development of the nation. I am keen on knowing your views since Tamilnadu has been buried fathom deep in the name of development by the AIADMK,” he said, announcing an e-mail ID and Twitter hashtag to send ideas.
A DMK leader says, “As usual, our manifesto will be a power-packed one and play a key role. Thalapathy (Stalin) will release it in a day or two.”
DELHI DETAILS
The meeting of BJP’s manifesto committee was held in New Delhi Monday. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is the chairman of the panel, presided over the meeting which was also attended by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The party has formed various sub-committees to look into various matters and sought inputs from people to be incorporated in the manifesto.
Congress Working Committee meeting is being held at Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat today to discuss the Lok Sabha elections.