Stalin went to the extent of proposing the Congress president's as the prime ministerial candidate in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, even as other allies are apprehensive about it
DMK president MK Stalin and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi have come a long way from burying their animosity to showcasing their newfound camaraderie in the run-up to the next year's Lok Sabha elections.
While Rahul accompanied his mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to unveil late the DMK chief Karunanidhi's statue in Chennai on Sunday, while his name was not even on the invitation, Stalin went to the extent of proposing the Congress president's as the prime ministerial candidate in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, even as other allies are apprehensive about it.
Stalin had forced his father and the then party chief, Karunanidhi, to quit the decade-long alliance with the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the centre in March 2013 on over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue. DMK also felt let down by the Congress over the 2G scam case, as full blame was laid on it. After having his way, Stalin spearheaded the campaign for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and failed to win even a single seat. Soon, DMK revived its ties with Congress in the 2016 assembly polls, but the alliance lost to the ruling AIADMK.
On the other hand, Rahul never hid his animosity against allies, particularly the DMK, during the UPA rule. He was criticised by the Dravidian party leaders for not visiting Karunanidhi during his multiple visits to Tamil Nadu. He kicked up a political storm when he visited the then Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in the hospital in October 2016, but did not visit his alliance party leader, Karunanidhi, who was also ailing. His visit led to talks of a breakup between the DMK and Congress. It was only after Jayalalithaa's death, that Rahul called on Karunanidhi in December 2016, when he had been hospitalised.
Prof Ramu Manivannan of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Madras said that Stalin's move to propose Rahul as PM candidate was primarily to seal the alliance with Congress. "Stalin's announcement also predetermines the leadership question, which is still under discussion among the opposition parties. Stalin proposing the name of Rahul kind of reaffirms his candidature and sets the ball rolling," he said.
SEALING THE DEAL
Prof Ramu Manivannan of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Madras said that Stalin’s move to propose Rahul as PM candidate was primarily to seal the alliance with Congress. “Stalin’s announcement also predetermines the leadership question, which is still under discussion among the opposition parties. Stalin proposing the name of Rahul kind of reaffirms his candidature and sets the ball rolling,” he said
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