Political leaders in Tamil Nadu, including from DMK’s “friendly” parties, came up with different opinions on DMK president M.K. Stalin proposing the name of Congress president Rahul Gandhi as the opposition’s Prime Ministerial candidate for 2019.

Asked about the development, AIADMK co-coordinator and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said in Coimbatore,“Only after alliances are announced, will we know who stands where,” he said.

CPI leader D. Raja said all secular parties and Left parties would discuss it at their respective meetings, but said it depended on the outcome of the elections.

CPI (M) State secretary K. Balakrishnan said: “Rahul Gandhi definitely has the capability to become the Prime Minister. But when the secular parties win the polls, a discussion on the Prime Ministerial candidate can be held.” He contended that it was generally the norm that the name of a Prime Minister is proposed only after the election results are announced.

VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan, however, welcomed the move, saying Mr. Gandhi could unify secular political parties in the country. “It is important to prevent the BJP from coming to power to protect democracy and the Constitution,” he said.

‘Congress itself doubtful’

Senior BJP leader L. Ganesan said, “While the Congress itself is very doubtful about announcing Rahul Gandhi as its Prime Ministerial candidate, Mr. Stalin, like Karunanidhi, wants to be a part of history, just like Karunanidhi used to say that he determined who the Prime Minister was. But Stalin is neither going to be that powerful, nor is Rahul Gandhi going to become the Prime Minister. Other parties are not going to accept him as Prime Minister.”