The Dravidar Kazhagam President, Mr. K.Veeramani , on 29th May, 2004 welcomed proposals contained in the Common Minimum Programme of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

Congratulating the constituents of the UPA on bringing out the CMP, he said making Tamil a classical language, repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, finding a solution to the Cauvery issue and giving priority to agriculture and unemployment were progressive measures.

In a statement, he wanted the Government to extend the reservation for backward classes to the private sector which it proposed for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the CMP. There was no need for a nationwide discussion for providing reservation for the BCs in the private sector.

At the same time, he opposed any move to provide reservation for the economically-backward.

Mr. Veeramani was for a constitutional amendment to enable the States to decide the quota of reservation for various communities and hoped that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Pattali Makkal Katchi would take steps in this direction.

He suggested formation of a cell to monitor the implementation of the programme by bureaucrats.