AIADMK leader dares DMK to name Rahul as PM candidate

Coimbatore: Senior AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai Monday claimed DMK was in an understanding with the BJP and hence was not ready to project Congress President Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate of its alliance.

"Is the DMK ready to announce Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate before the Lok Sabha elections? DMK is not ready to project Rahul Gandhi as prime ministerial candidate, because of their understanding with BJP," he alleged. Talking to reporters here, he said it would only be a political drama if the DMK said the alliance would select the prime minister only after the elections. Thambidurai has been making the allegation that DMK was in touch with BJP in the backdrop of the arch-rival accusing the ruling AIADMK of being subservient to the central government.

Replying to a question, he said AIADMK was not bothered about the verdict in the case of 18 disqualified MLAs, loyal to ousted leader TTV Dhinkaran.