Pondicherry, Apr 27: The BJP, contesting the lone Pondicherry Lok Sabha seat in alliance with AIADMK, has promised the electorate that if elected, the party would strive hard to establish a Tamil University in Pondicherry under the control of the Pondicherry administration. Among other things the manifesto promised that it would strive for declaring Tamil a classical language, and establish a special economic zone for fast industrial and export activities. Besides promoting welfare of workers, the party would modernise the AFT mill here, it assured.
The manifesto also promised to set up a state level women's commission, free education for girls upto degree courses, thirty three per cent quota of reservation in decision making for a promotion of handloom weavers, and raising the monthly pension of freedom fighters to Rs.3000 a month as is available in Tamil Nadu.
Promotion of welfare of the backward class and Scheduled Caste and also recognition of the Scheduled Tribes in Pondicherry to benefit them in getting jobs and educational facilities, inclusion of the fishermen in ST list were other promises contained in the manifesto.
Tirunallar near Karaikal, famous for the shrine of Lord Saneeswarar, would be declared a temple town and Central funds would be spent for its development.
The manifesto was released here yesterday by the party's national secretary L Ganesan. Those present included the party's nominee, Lalitha Kumaramangalam, the BJP's Pondicherry unit president R Kesavalu and its lone legislator here A M Krishnamoorthy.
Bureau Report