The announcement comes in the wake of Assembly elections due in the State. The DMK is trying to garner votes by addressing issues of social justice and state autonomy.

The party's election manifesto released by DMK's president M Karunanidhi, said that the party would continue to press the Centre for a constitutional amendment for providing reservation.

The manifesto for the May 8 Assembly poll also sought repeal of Article 356 from the Constitution. The Article gives power to the Centre to impose President's rule in a state.

According to the manifesto, "The Supreme Court had laid many controls and conditions for the use of Article 356. In order to avoid any kind of setback to the biggest democracy of the world, DMK would continue to press for scrapping of Article 356, which provides for dismissal of state governments."

"The party firmly believes only a federal set up with fuller autonomy to states could alone safeguard the unity of India, which has various races, languages, arts and culture."

The manifesto also promised to repeal the controversial law passed by the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government banning religious conversions.

Besides, it also promised to provide quality rice through Public Distribution System at the rate of Rs 2 per kg. It also promised of providing free colour television sets to every family, an assistance of Rs 1000 per month for six months to pregnant women, free LPG stoves to all poor families, employment opportunity to 3 lakh unemployed youth, free power to weavers and waiving of cooperative loans of farmers.

Yesterday, the AIADMK in its manifesto, promised for a corruption free, honest and transparent administration in the State. It also said it would work for upgradation of economic and social status of the people there, if voted back to power.

"An able administration, honest approach, impartial judiciary, upgradation of quality of life and peaceful and secured life to the people of the State are our goals and we promise to achieve this," it said.

The manifesto also promised to end the scarcity of essential commodities, like LPG, created by wrong and anti-people policies of the Centre.

It promised to set up new industrial units, including an IT park, to provide employment to the youth and a "weavers' welfare board" to give an impetus to tourism. (ANI)