Virudhunagar (TN): DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) today (Feb 21, 2004) said it was for genuine federalism and demanded amendment to the Constitution to ensure this and also to empower the States to function freely and effectively.

DMK's manifesto for the coming Lok Sabha polls released at the party's South zone conference, also demanded abolition of Act 356 of the Constitution which empowered the Centre to dismiss State Government.

The manifesto released by party president M Karunanidhi on the opening day of the two-day conference in this Southern town also said it would strive for the repeal of controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), besides opposing any move to bring in a common civil code.

On Ayodhya, the party reiterated its oft-repeated stand that only a court verdict could settle the dispute and wanted everybody to abide by the judiciary's order.

Voicing concern over the alleged attack on freedom of press in Tamil Nadu, the party said it would work for a legislation to protect freedom of expression and the media.

It also demanded a central authority to oversee implementation of labour laws and preferred Legislation by the Parliament for protecting the right to strike by workers.