Even as other political parties have announced their manifestoes, the wait for the AIADMK’s election manifesto continues.
The candidates, who have begun their campaign, keep talking about how the party has kept its promises during the past five years.
The only big announcement outside the manifesto that has come so far from the ruling camp is AIADMK general secretary and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s promise that if returned to power, her government would implement prohibition in phases.
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“She has been making (region-specific) announcements during her campaign meetings. These are all to be part of the manifesto,” said a party leader.
A committee that had been formed to draft the AIADMK manifesto, which includes Ministers O. Panneerselvam, Natham R. Viswanathan, R. Vaithilingam, Edappadi K. Palanisami and P. Palaniappan and senior party leaders S. Ponnaiyan and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha S. Thambidurai, has submitted its proposal to Ms. Jayalalithaa. A party watcher recalled how in 2006 the DMK won on the strength of its manifesto. In 2011, the AIADMK’s manifesto was also instrumental in catapulting the party to power.
Insiders say that the draft manifesto is being tweaked by Ms. Jayalalithaa and that the party leader was waiting for an auspicious day for the release.
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It could be April 21, which is Chitra Pournami, say party sources.
Political commentator Badri Seshadri says that generally for most voters the manifesto is not important at all.
“But in the last two elections, the key promises in the manifesto made a big difference. Now, there is probably a small shift, at least some of us are looking at the documents seriously. It gives an insight into the thought process of a political party,” he said.
Vision statement
During the formative years, Tamil Nadu’s political parties made only poll promises. “They were just short one-liners. But at point of time they were difficult to implement. Slowly, they started expanding… Now, it has moved to the next level – the vision statement,” Mr. Seshadri explained.
Insiders say
that the draft manifesto is being tweaked by
Ms. Jayalalithaa