Chennai: Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), a key Congress ally, on Thursday demanded appropriate amendments to Constitution for a "wholesome and genuine" federalism in the country with autonomy at the state level and federal governance at the Centre.
A strong votary of state autonomy, DMK said in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, released by party President M Karunanidhi in Chennai, that its views on Centre-states relations had been placed before various Commissions set up by the Centre to "analyse" this matter.
Justice Sarkaria Commission and Justice Venkatachaliah Commission "have recommended measures for rearrangement of Union-States relations in India," where DMK has placed its "considered views for the establishment of state autonomy, based on the principles of wholesome and genuine federalism," it said.
Claiming credit for implementing the Centre's 27 per cent OBC reservation by virtue of "continued insistence from DMK", the party also opposed the "creamy layer" concept, saying it would deprive OBCs of the full benefit of reservation policy.
The party also demanded suitable Constitutional amendments to ensure that Acts related to reservation were kept out of the purview of legal review.
The DMK also sought Constitutional amendments to enable states decide on the quantum of reservation, based on the population of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Pressing for a speedy implementation of the Rs 2,400 crore Sethusamudram project, it said the Centre should "expedite the legal process" to implement it, since a case was pending in the Supreme Court "citing religious reasons".
A strong pro-minority lobby, it also opposed any amendment to the Indian Constitution for a uniform civil code "that usurps the religious and human rights of minorities in India".
On the agriculture front, the party demanded that the Centre disburse farm loans at two per cent interest in both cooperative institutions and commercial banks.
Referring to the global economic meltdown, the manifesto suggested providing six-month salary as grant for labourers facing retrenchment due to its impact.
Regarding transport, the party demanded Bullet Trains between Chennai-Madurai and Chennai-Coimbatore and a Chennai-Delhi dedicated freight corridor.
On stalling of proceedings in Parliament by parties, DMK said all-party consultations should be held to suitably change the rules of procedure for effective conduct of proceedings, "without infringing upon the rights of the members".
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