Like most other political parties, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has also promised to secure special category state status for Pondicherry and hold panchayat elections if voted to power.

In its election manifesto released in Pondicherry at a public meeting on Monday night, the DMK promised special facilities for minorities, including Dalit Chrisitians and Muslims, in education and employment.

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The party also assured to set up a seperate board for the welfare and provide reservation for minorities based on their population.

Subsidised power supply and pension for farmers, employment to at least one member of a family, hike in allowance to physically challenged and setting up of a state human rights commission are among the promises made by the party.

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The DMK is contesting 11 seats as part of the Democratic Progressive Alliance in Pondicherry.

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The Congress, heading the alliance, had already announced that a Congress government will be formed with outside support of the alliance parties in the event of the DPA winning the elections.