CHENNAI: The election promises of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam - providing quality rice at Rs.2 a kg and securing more funds from the Centre - are "just empty words," Bharatiya Janata Party `prabhari' (in-charge) for Tamil Nadu, Bandaru Dattatreya, said on Thursday.

He recalled how attempts to provide rice at Rs.2 a kg failed in Andhra Pradesh. In 1983, the then Chief Minister N.T.Rama Rao introduced such a scheme. It did not last long. When Rama Rao came back to power in December 1994, he revived the scheme. This time it lasted for about 18 months. The rate was hiked to Rs.3.50 in July 1996 after N.Chandrababu Naidu assumed power.

Mr.Dattatreya wondered how the DMK could get more funds when it had failed miserably in obtaining resources from the Centre for tsunami and flood relief.

"The DMK's track record for the last two years reveals it cannot bring in more money to Tamil Nadu."

The promise to provide free colour television sets was made in the "self-interest" of the DMK.

He also criticised the promise of reservation for Muslims and Christians, as the Supreme Court had declared unconstitutional such a system sought to be adopted by the Andhra Pradesh Government in the case of Muslims.

Election manifesto

The BJP will release its manifesto on April 2.

The same day, the State election committee will finalise and forward the list of probable candidates to the central leadership.

On April 4, the Parliamentary Board will meet and announce the candidates.

Mr.Dattatreya hinted that the BJP would contest from around 160 Assembly constituencies .

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