MK Stalin a potential Prime Ministerial candidate: Farooq Abdullah

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister DMK's chief, MK Stalin, could become Prime Minister if Opposition parties join hands and win the Lok Sabha polls next year, Jammu Kashmir National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said on Wednesday.

PTI reported that he said so when he was arriving for Stalin's birthday party and was replying to reporters' query about a prospective Prime Ministerial candidate.

He said a united opposition must win the 2024 general polls, and at the appropriate time, a decision must be made to select the best man to unite and lead the nation.

When reporters asked him about the chances of Mr Stalin becoming the Prime Minister, he replied, "Why not? Why can't he become the Prime Minister?"

When asked about opposition unity, he asserted that Stalin and DMK did well. When the nation's diversity is protected, then unity is guarded, he said, adding that DMK has done well in nurturing Opposition and national unity.

Meanwhile, Stalin announced on Wednesday that the state would provide free laptops to all secondary and higher secondary teachers. He also announced that teachers who implement government schemes would be rewarded with educational tours to foreign countries.

"Educational expenses for children of teachers studying in higher education will be hiked up to Rs 50,000. The new projects will be implemented at the cost of Rs 225 crore. Teachers of all government and aided schools will have to undergo a full physical examination once in three years," said the CM.