Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president Thirunavukkarasar has opposed the extension of bail period in respect of Perarivalan, one of the seven main accused in the 1991 assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in Sriperumbudur off Chennai.

Speaking to newsmen in Chennai yesterday, Tirunavukkarasar said that the State Unit of the party had fixed a target of enrolling 50 lakh new members by the end of the next year.  “Recent Assembly and Lok Sabha by-polls in Kerala and Punjab have sent a clear signal to the BJP and to Prime Minister Modi that an anti-Modi wave has already been set in motion.  GST would also work heavily against the BJP in future.

“It is now almost certain that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who is to soon become the party president, would become the next Prime Minister of the country replacing Modi,” he said.  On another note, he blamed both the Centre and the State Govt. of Tamil Nadu for having failed on the ‘dengue front’ yet issuing false claims that the killer-disease was under control.

“We are not in favour of extending the parole period of Perarivalan,” Tirunavukkarasar said. To another query, he said that he wasn’t aware whether he would continue as TNCC president or a new leader would be appointed to replace him.