Chennai: DMK president M K Stalin’s announcement – openly declaring/proposing AICC president Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate in the coming Lok Sabha polls – has come as a surprise but was not a shocker. Stalin who was under the wings of his father and former DMK chief M Karunanidhi made his presence felt in national politics when he attended the meeting of the anti-BJP front organised in New Delhi recently.
His announcement now has ensured that the national and State parties will either have to endorse his proposal or go against it, which will make him the talking point in the coming days. His proposal of Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate will also enable in further strengthening the ties between the DMK and Congress.
MIXED RESPONSE
While there is no open opposition to his proposal, which was made during the statue unveiling function of Karunanidhi at Arivalayam yesterday, the announcement has evoked mixed and cautious reaction from various political parties, including DMK’s own allies.
While the Left parties, which had participated in the former chief minister’s statue unveiling, said the matter has to be discussed, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said it was the wish of Stalin as no alliance was confirmed. He said, “It is his personal view. No alliance has been formed yet,” he added.
BJP State unit leader Tamilisai Soundararajan said it has to be decided by the people, including parties and its own friendlies. “Modi from humble and simple beginnings became Prime Minister by democracy. Stalin proposes Rahul as PM? That is dynasty,” she added.
“We are ready to fight the war between democracy vs dynasty. In this democratic country, only democracy will win,” she added.
CPI leader D Raja said a decision on prime ministerial candidate would be taken after discussions with alliance partners based on the outcome of the poll results.
Depending on the outcome of the poll results and after getting the opinion of other alliance partners, a decision would be taken, he added.
CPI(M) State secretary K Balakrishnan said there might be reconsideration on this as normally choosing of a Prime Minister candidate would be taken up only based on the outcome of the polls.
As expected, TNCC president Su Thirunnavukkarasar and VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan welcomed Stalin’s announcement about Rahul as prime ministerial candidate and also vowed to make Stalin the chief minister.
WHAT HE SAID
Stalin said, “On this occasion of unveiling the statue of Kalaignar, I propose we instal a new Prime Minister in capital Delhi. We will build a new India, welcome Rahul Gandhi, give the nation good governance.”
“As the son of Kalaignar, I propose the candidature of Rahul Gandhi from Tamilnadu. He has the ability to defeat the Fascist-Nazi Modi regime,” he said and appealed to the leaders of all the parties on the dais. “We will strengthen the hands of Rahul Gandhi and save this nation,” Stalin said.