INDIA bloc likely to discuss joint Vice-Presidential candidate on August 18
Sources said the INDIA bloc leaders would meet at the office of Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, at 10.15 am on Monday.
The meeting will be held a day after the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) announced Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its nominee for the post of vice-president, the second-highest constitution position in the country.
Radhakrishnan hails from Tamil Nadu, which will go to polls in 2026.
While the ruling BJP feels that the nomination of Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader with an RSS background, will elicit support from the wider opposition, especially the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, it remains to be seen what stand the opposition parties take on Monday.
BJP president JP Nadda, while announcing the nomination of Radhakrishnan after a meeting of the party's parliamentary board on Sunday, said the NDA will speak to the opposition parties to reach a consensus for the vice-presidential election.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc partners earlier announced their decision to field a joint 'non-political' candidate for the election.
The vice-presidential election, necessitated by the sudden resignation of incumbent Jagdeep Dhankhar last month, is scheduled for September 9.
The last date for filing nomination is August 21.
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