‘Will quit politics if true’: MK Stalin denies Tamil Nadu BJP chief’s claim of talks with DMK
Tamilisai Soundararajan had said that the DMK chief allies with the Congress, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Narendra Modi at the same time.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam President MK Stalin on Tuesday criticised Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party chief Tamilisai Soundararajan’s claim that the DMK is in talks with the saffron party for an alliance. Stalin said he will quit politics if Soundararajan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are able to prove that such talks are under way, ANI reported.
“If they fail to prove it, will Modi and Tamilisai quit politics?” Stalin asked. “I condemn the statement made by Tamilisai.”
Stalin said it was he who had proposed Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s name as the Opposition’s candidate for prime minister, PTI reported. He alleged that Soundararajan had uttered a “blatant lie”, and accused the BJP of “sowing confusion” as it was “on the verge of defeat”. The DMK chief said he has previously described Modi as an authoritarian, a fascist and sadist, and a person who should be unseated for the “untold miseries inflicted on the people” in the last five years.
The Congress and the DMK had in January announced an alliance for the 2019 General Elections.
Tamilisai had told reporters in Thoothukudi city, in the presence of All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader and Tamil Nadu Food Minister R Kamaraj, that Stalin is in talks with the BJP, PTI reported.
“Because on one side [Stalin allies with] [Congress chief] Rahul [Gandhi], [Telangana Chief Minister] K Chandrasekhar Rao on the other, and [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi on another side,” she added, according to Thanthi TV. “Everyone knows that the DMK changes colours.”
She was referring to Rao’s meeting with Stalin on Monday, amid speculation of talks for a federal front following the Lok Sabha elections. Stalin, however, had said that any such discussions could take place only after May 23, the day when the results will be declared.
“Everyone knows that BJP is going to win,” Soundararajan said on Tuesday. “KCR is power-hungry. After May 23, he [Stalin] wants to make a change. Whether North or South India, everyone knows Modi is going to be the next prime minister.”
State Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, who is also an AIADMK leader, said that DMK will talk with Congress, Rao, and also the BJP. “DMK alone has the capability to sail in three boats at the same time,” he told reporters.