CHENNAI: DMK President M.K. Stalin on Sunday proposed the name of the grand old  party Congress President Rahul Gandhi as the next Prime Minister claiming he has the competence to beat the "fascist" Narendra Modi government.

"I propose we will install a new Prime Minister in Delhi (in 2019). I propose the candidature of Rahul Gandhi from Tamil Nadu. He has got the ability to defeat the fascist Modi government," he stated.

Stalin announced the same at a public rally in the presence of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy, DMK leaders and a number of other parties.

"In the five years of PM Modi's rule, the country has gone 15 years back. If we give another chance to him, surely the country will go 50 years back. PM Modi is behaving like a king, that is why we have all come together to safeguard democracy and country," he further said.

"We will strengthen Rahul Gandhi's hands," Stalin announced.

Stalin also said it was Karunanidhi who first welcomed late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to give a stable government and then asked Sonia Gandhi to lead the country in 2004. He added that he was following his leader's steps in proposing Rahul Gandhi to lead the country as the Prime minister .

"Twenty-one political parties have come together against PM Modi and more parties will join," Stalin stated.

He came down heavily on PM Modi and said: "Modi is a sadist Prime Minister. He is implementing all the schemes opposed by Tamil Nadu.

“Stalin said when the Gaja cyclone killed about 65 persons and left a trail of destruction in Tamil Nadu, Modi remained hushed”.