DMK’s working president M.K. Stalin has described Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi as a ‘light of confidence’ which shines brightly at a time when communal forces (read: BJP) are all set to occupy the length and breadth of the country.

Rahul filed his nomination papers yesterday for the post of Congress president and is likely to be declared elected unanimously (without election) in a few days’ time as no other candidate except him filed the nomination papers. Before filing his nomination papers, Rahul took formal ‘blessing’ from party’s senior leaders such as Sheila Dixit, former prime-minister Manmohan Singh, Ghulam Nabi Azad and his mother Sonia Gandhi, the outgoing party president.

Releasing a video footage of himself on his Twitter account wishing Rahul a huge success as party president, Stalin said “Congress has a rich tradition which can’t be denied by anybody. It’s a party which is 132 years old and is easily the oldest party in the country. As such, Rahul’s election as Congress president at this critical juncture is not only important for the party but also for the entire country and its people.

“Hailing from a family of rich, historic tradition wherein its members had dedicated their lives for the people, Rahul seeks to continue their legacies. His election as party president makes him shine as a light of confidence at a time when communal forces are attempting to take over the entire country. I appeal to Rahul to function in a manner wherein democracy is kept alive on the basis of socialism,” Stalin said.