Chennai: AIADMK begins drafting manifesto which focus on students, women
Chennai: The ruling AIADMK on Thursday began the process of drafting its manifesto for the coming state elections with senior minister O. Panneerselvam holding discussions at a star hotel with cabinet colleagues and the heads of various party wings—such as farmers’, IT, legal, medical and trade unions—for identifying the core offerings to the people for gaining their confidence, approval and the votes.
‘OPS sessions’ focused particularly on identifying the issues dear to the youth and women, just like the previous AIADMK manifestos that had free laptops and bicycles for the students and a whole range of household articles, plus gold for mangalsutra for the brides.
“The draft manifesto will reach Amma in a couple of days. She will make the necessary changes and the final version is sure to be a big hit with the electorate”, a party source said.
The DMK has always paid much attention to drafting its poll manifesto right from the 1967 document that dethroned the Congress for good in the state, promising one padi (one-and-a-half kilo) rice for just Rs 1, a promise that was not kept.
However, DMK chief M. Karunanidhi fulfilled his promise made in 2006 manifesto to deliver 1 kg of rice for '1, besides free colour TV sets and waiver of farm loans.
That poll document anchored by Prof Naganathan was a super hit-ally P. Chidambaram had termed it the ‘hero’ of 2006. This time too, the DMK is leaving no stone unturned in bringing out a ‘winner’ manifesto and constituted a committee to draft one about six months back.
Party treasurer M.K. Stalin has said the wishes and aspirations of the people he met during his 'Namakku Naamey' tour would find place in the poll manifesto.
“Our leaders are busy interviewing the applicants for party tickets. Once this is done, they will turn their attention to finalising the poll manifesto, which is certain to a huge hit among the people”, said a DMK legislator.
A team led by national secretary H. Raja is said to be busy drafting party's poll manifesto, which is expected to reflect some of the populist schemes of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.
The party has completed its first major coordination meeting to decide on poll strategy. The PMK was the first party to release a draft manifesto on September 14 last year while the DMDK has released “a part of its manifesto” at its Kancheepuram rally on February 20.
People's Welfare Alliance comprising MDMK, VCK and the Left has released a common minimum programme on November 2 last year.
