Vice-presidential elections: Maharashtra governor Radhakrishnan is NDA's pick; INDIA bloc likely discuss its candidate today
NEW DELHI: Maharashtra governor C P Radhakrishnan (68) is all set to be India's next vice-president. The BJP parliamentary board on Sunday approved the name of the two-term former Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore for the constitutional post, which is twinned with that of chairman of Rajya Sabha.
Rival INDIA bloc has declared its intent to field an "ideological" candidate to make a statement. However, Radhakrishnan's election is almost certain, given
NDA
's superior strength: it has 427 MPs (Lok Sabha: 293; RS: 134) against opposition's 354 (LS: 249; RS: 105), which is comfortably above the required number, 392.
Sources indicated the selection of Radhakrishnan - he belongs to the OBC Gounder (Kongu Vellalar) community, a dominant caste in west Tamil Nadu - may have been influenced by many considerations.
These include his RSS background and long political innings, first as a Jana Sangh member and then as a grassroots neta of BJP. Not to mention the party's focus on next year's TN polls.
CP, as he is known, served as governor of Jharkhand before being shifted to Maharashtra in what was seen as a leg-up. The Raj Bhavan stints understandably helped him gather administrative experience, which will be of use in conducting RS affairs.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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In Radhakrishnan, BJP now has another important Gounder figure after TN party ex-chief K Annamalai. Ally ADMK general secretary E P S also belongs to the same caste.
Incidentally, C P has had smooth working relations with both DMK and AIADMK.
INDIA bloc likely to discuss its VP candidate in today's meeting
The INDIA bloc may kickstart discussions on its common candidate for the Vice-Presidential election at a meeting on Monday morning, when the alliance would also decide on the Parliamentary proceedings after a clash with the govt over SIR has virtually washed away the business in monsoon session.
Sources said the floor leaders of the INDIA constituents will meet at the office of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge ahead of the proceedings, which gains importance because of the twin issues of VP polls and resumption of Parliament after the extended break for independence day.
The allies may discuss the VP candidate, now that BJP which is tipped to win the poll announced C P Radhakrishnan as its nominee. The opposition has in principle decided to field a candidate to highlight ideological contrast with ruling camp.
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