Stalin proposes Rahul Gandhi as next PM, Rahul says opposition will stand together to defeat BJP

Addressing a public gathering in Chennai after the unveiling of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, the Congress President Rahul Gandhi recalled that the DMK leader Karunanidhi defended institutions of this country, “ but today we've a govt that is attacking voice, culture, institutions of Tamil Nadu and our country. He added confidently that In memory of Karunanidhi Ji, all voices of India are going to get together and defeat BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,” he said.

Emphasising on the opposition unity as the need of the hour Rahul Gandhi said, “We aren't going to allow the destruction of the idea of India, the destructions of our institutions, the Supreme Court, the RBI, the EC. And we are going to stand together and do this (defeat BJP).”

Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and former President of the Congress, Sonia Gandhi expressed her heartfelt desire that the mutual support of various parties to each other remains as 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.”

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu criticised the Modi government for destroying the institutins of this country. “ Even ED, IT dept are being used to victimise politicians. Yesterday you saw Rafale case in Supreme Court. Even for SC, this government has filed wrong affidavit. Governors are misusing powers in Goa, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and other states....People elected the BJP govt, but it destroyed all institutions. Federalism is destroyed. They are misusing CBI. It's a premier institution for corruption control, now it itself is engulfed in corruption. They removed CBI Director and RBI Governor has resigned.”

The DMK President then proposed the Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s name as the prime ministerial candidate saying, “I propose we'll install a new Prime Minister in Delhi. I propose the candidature of Rahul Gandhi from Tamil Nadu. He has got the ability to defeat the fascist Modi govt.”

DMK President MK Stalin presented mementos to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu.

Early in the evening, the Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and former President of the Congress party Sonia Gandhi on Sunday unveiled the bronze statue of late DMK President M. Karunanidhi in Tamil Nadu.

Sonia Gandhi was received by DMK President MK Stalin at the party headquarters.

She unveiled former Chief Minister Karunanidhi's statute installed at the DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam here in the presence of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, leaders of DMK and several other parties, movie actors and industrialists.

The event was seen as a show of strength for MK Stalin as well as the united opposition.

Actor-turned-politician Rajnikanth who has recently announced his entry in the politics also participated in the function. Another actor turned politician and parliamentarian, Shatrughan Sinha was also present at the event.

With inputs from IANS