Stalin proposes Rahul Gandhi as next Prime Minister to defeat 'fascist' Modi govt

DMK President M.K. Stalin on Sunday proposed the name of Congress President Rahul Gandhi as the next Prime Minister saying he has the capability to defeat the "fascist" Narendra Modi government.

Stalin made the announcement at a public rally in the presence of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Photo: MK Stalin/Twitter

CHENNAI: DMK President M.K. Stalin on Sunday proposed the name of Congress President Rahul Gandhi as the next Prime Minister saying he has the capability to defeat the "fascist" Narendra Modi government. "I propose we will install a new Prime Minister in Delhi (in 2019). I propose the candidature of Rahul Gandhi from Tamil Nadu. He has got the ability to defeat the fascist Modi government," he said. Stalin made the announcement at a public rally in the presence of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy, DMK leaders and several other parties. "In the five years of PM Modi's rule, the country has gone 15 years back. If we give another chance to him, surely the country will go 50 years back. PM Modi is behaving like a king, that is why we have all come together to safeguard democracy and country," he added. "We will strengthen Rahul Gandhi's hands," Stalin declared.

Humbled and emotional today. Remembering Thalaivar Kalaignar.

I warmly thank Tmt. Sonia Gandhi, @RahulGandhi @ncbn @vijayanpinarayi @VNarayanasami and members of my DMK family present at YMCA for the unveiling of the#StatueofKalaignar. pic.twitter.com/HUSD2HBMEK — M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 16, 2018

Stalin said it was Karunanidhi who first welcomed late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to provide a stable government and then urged Sonia Gandhi to lead the nation in 2004 and added that he was following his leader's steps in proposing Rahul Gandhi to lead the nation. "Twenty-one political parties have come together against Modi and more parties will join," Stalin said. Coming down heavily on Modi, the DMK leader said: "Modi is a sadist Prime Minister. He is implementing all the schemes opposed by Tamil Nadu." Stalin said when the Gaja cyclone killed about 65 persons and left a trail of destruction in Tamil Nadu, Modi remained silent. On the other hand, Modi tweeted if there was a forest fire in the US and a terror attack somewhere else, he said. Earlier, Sonia Gandhi unveiled former Chief Minister Karunanidhi's statute at the DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam here. Addressing the gathering, Sonia Gandhi said urged like-minded parties to come together on to fight the battle 2019. "It's my desire that mutual support of our parties to each other remains strong as when Karunanidhi ji was guiding us, as we wage together a battle with political forces that are determined to destroy our constitutional values and the idea of India as we know it," she said. Reacting on Stalin's proposal, CPI Leader D. Raja said: "The DMK President has proposed Rahul Gandhi should become the Prime Minister. All the other parties, particularly secular democratic parties, left parties will have to give consideration and deliberate on this issue. Let us see in the coming days how things are going to end." (With inputs from IANS)