No need for Common Minimum Programme for DMK front: Ramadoss

CHENNAI: Ruling out a Common Minimum Programme for the DMK-led front for the April 13 Tamil Nadu assembly polls, one its constituent PMK today said the alliance was only a "seat-sharing agreement",and "not based on principles".

"Hence, there is no need for a CMP," PMK founder S Ramadoss said in an apparent reference to the demand in this regard made by Congress, the second largest partner in the front.

Speaking to reporters here after releasing his party's manifesto, he also assured "unconditional support" to the DMK, in the event of their combine winning the elections.

Till recently a staunch critic of the DMK's freebies and one who had opposed the latter's satellite city proposal, he however seemed to have changed his stance.

The party had "no problems" with the DMK's promise in its manifesto for a satellite city, as far as it did not affect people, he said.

To a query on freebies promised by the DMK manifesto such as providing free grinder or mixer, he evaded a direct reply, but said the "affluent, such as investors, are already being given sops such as tax-benefits and subsidies".

He asserted that the 2G spectrum scam and rising prices, which the Opposition parties intend to use as key campaign issues against the DMK combine, would affect their front's poll prospects.

The DMK-led alliance had its own 'counter-measures' he said, but declined to reveal them.

In its poll manifesto, PMK reaffirmed its committment to prohibition, besides striving for reservation in judiciary and private sector employment.

On the emotive Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Ramadoss said a seperate Tamil Ealam (Tamil statehood) alone was the solution to the ethnic issue and his party's manifesto called for India's efforts in this regard.