Kongu Peravai, an organisation of the dominant Gounder community in Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday announced support to the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for the May 8 Assembly elections.

Briefing reporters on the deliberations of the state executive meeting of Peravai held Wednesday morning, its president, M Rajamani said the communal harmony and peace that prevailed during the last five years, prompted it to extend support to the ruling party.

The community, with nearly one crore voters, dominates nine districts of the region and is a decisive factor in the victory of candidates, Rajamani said, adding the Peravai expected AIADMK to include the community in the most backward class list, if returned to power.

The meeting also welcomed the announcement of 3 percent dearness allowance to employees and also 10 kg free rice to ration card holders, he said.

The Peravai blamed the United Progressive Alliance government, in which the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a partner, for continued increase in the price of gold and also petrol and petroleum products, Rajamani said.

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