DMK chief proposal to project Rahul as PM candidate fails to make headway

TNN Bureau. Updated: 12/17/2018 7:38:57 PM National

New Delhi, Dec 17 (UNI) A day after DMK chief M K Stalin mooted the idea of projecting Congress president Rahul Gandhi as the leader of the non-BJP alliance, the Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPI-M) and Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee outrightly rejected the move saying the leadership issue can be handled only after the general elections.

"A formation that forms an alternative government at the Center comes into existence only post-elections", CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury told reporters here.

The remarks from Mr Yechury come close on the heels of detailed deliberations on the poll strategy held by the 103-member Central Committee of the party wherein the general consensus was that the CPI(M) will uphold its distinct identity and pursue independent political roadmap to fight BJP at national level, against Congress in Kerala and Trinamool in West Bengal.

In related development during the day, TMC spokesperson Derek O'Brien also did not favour the idea of accepting Congress president as the probable prime ministerial candidate for the 2019 election.

"Broad understanding reached among Opposition parties on the issue of name of Prime Minister was to take it up after elections", the TMC leader said.

On Sunday at a function in Chennai, Mr Stalin has proposed Mr Gandhi's name for the Prime Minister candidature in the 2019 election.

"I propose we will 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", the DMK president said.

Responding to a question regarding Mr Stalin's proposal the CPI(M) general secretary said "Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We learn from our country's history. In 1996, the United Front formed after the election. The NDA was formed after election in 1998. The UPA also was formed after election. The same thing will happen in 2019 after election".

Interestingly, two key regional players, Mayawati (BSP chief), Akhilesh Yadav (SP chief) stayed away from the oath taking ceremony of Congress Chief Ministers in three states, even after they extended support to Congress government in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.


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