‘Rahul lacks mass appeal compared to Modi’: Tamilisai Soundararajan

Taking a dig at the Congress for its poll drubbings in several States, Tamilisai said that Congress is sure to face defeat, if the party declares Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial candidate.

“Not just the alliance parties and people, even the Congress cadres won’t accept Rahul as the candidate for Prime Minister. He lacks mass appeal as compared to Modi,” she said to mediapersons at Coimbatore International Airport.

The BJP leader’s sharp reaction comes even as former finance minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram declared in a television interview that the party has not insisted on projecting Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial candidate in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Replying to a query, Tamilisai said that BJP will never align with those who issued Rs 20 token in bypolls in a reference to AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran.

Dismissing chances for conduct of both assembly and Lok Sabha polls simultaneously in Tamil Nadu, the BJP leader, however said it may otherwise happen based on the verdict in the 18 MLA disqualification case. Earlier, speaking to reporters at Chennai, she said the State unit of BJP is ready for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and the party has appointed two observers for each constituency.

Stating that the party has already begun the poll work process, Tamilisai said it would be intensified in the days to come.

“In fact, we have started the poll works long ago ahead of the DMK and the AIADMK, but we chose not to publicise it,” Tamilisai said.

Denying that her party is weak in TN, she said that people here are willing to vote for the BJP, but it has become a fashion to criticise the Central government.

Commenting on the possibility of the Congress and Kamal Hassan’s MNM coming together, Tamilisai said that the Congress is a sinking ship and those who associate with the Congress will lose the parliamentary polls.

“The public is with the BJP and all the recent poll surveys have concluded that Narendra Modi continues to be the top choice for the post of PM. The 2019 polls are crucial for us and more MPs supporting the BJP will be elected this time from Tamil Nadu,” Tamilisai exuded confidence.

Tamilisai also welcomed the views of actor Rajinikanth on the Sabarimala issue. Rajni had opined that the religious practices of the hill shrine should not be disturbed.