Lok Sabha Elections: DMK Promises To Scrap CAA If I.N.D.I.A Bloc Is Voted To Power

In its manifesto, the DMK has promised to repeal the CAA if the I.N.D.I.A bloc is voted to power in the Lok Sabha polls. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin with party leader Kanimozhi.

Lok Sabha Elections: Tamil Nadu's ruling party, DMK, in its manifesto released on Wednesday, promised to repeal the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 if the I.N.D.I.A bloc wins the Lok Sabha polls. DMK is a key constituent of the alliance formed by the opposition in a bid to topple the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government. 

"The 2019 CAA law will be repealed, and all minorities will be treated equally without any discrimination. The recommendations of the Sachar Committee for the improvement of the lives of Muslims and other minority communities will be implemented," the DMK said. 

Sri Lankan Tamil refugees will be facilitated in getting Indian citizenship. Assistance will be provided to those who wish to return to Sri Lanka.

The key promises made by the DMK in its manifesto included the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and holding polls there, scrapping the New Education Policy 2020, slashing fuel prices, annulling Article 361 of the Constitution that provides protection to governors from legal action, and the appointment of governors following consultation with Chief Ministers.

The DMK said that the recommendations of the M S Swaminathan committee will be adopted to ensure that MSP for agricultural products "is set at total production cost plus 50 per cent," as reported by news agency PTI.

Also, it announced that if voted to power, the I.N.D.I.A bloc will repeal the Agnipath scheme and reintroduce "permanent recruitment service" in the Indian Armed forces. "From now on, population census, including caste-wise census and census concerning people below the poverty line, will be conducted by the Union government once every five years simultaneously," the DMK said, as quoted by PTI.

The DMK will lay emphasis on the removal of Article 356, which allows the dismissal of duly elected state governments and the imposition of the President’s rule.

The DMK, which is an ally of the Congress in Tamil Nadu, said that "new constraints" on States' borrowing capacity, imposed by the union government beyond the limits in each state's FRBM-equivalent Act will be eliminated. "A recommendation to share cess revenues with states will be made. It will be proposed that the Finance Commission increase the horizontal devolution of tax revenue (to all States together) from 42 per cent to 50 per cent," it said, as quoted by PTI.

A 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and legislative assemblies will be implemented immediately.

"DMK will insist that the Union government enact a law providing menstrual leave to women, emphasising the journey towards gender equality," DMK said. Petrol and diesel prices "will be set at Rs 75, Rs 65 (per litre)" and cooking gas cylinders shall be made available at Rs 500 (per cylinder). "The introduction of the Uniform Civil Code will be strictly prevented" to preserve India's secular nature as stated in the Constitution's preamble.