'Tamil Nadu outreach': BJP names Maharashtra Governor P. Radhakrishnan as NDA's Vice Presidential candidate
BJP President J.P. Nadda, addressing a press conference after the meeting, said the party had held discussions with allies and several opposition parties over the past week.
"We hope the Vice President's election will take place through consensus. We have spoken to many parties, and while the opposition said they would decide after our announcement, we are hopeful of wider support," he told reporters.
The decision to field Radhakrishnan, a seasoned politician with long-standing ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is being viewed as a strategic outreach to Tamil Nadu, where Assembly elections are due next year.
Born on October 20, 1957, in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur, Radhakrishnan was drawn to the RSS during his teenage years.
In his early days, he had already become an active member, shaping his political grounding in the Sangh Parivar's ideology. He rose through the ranks of the BJP, serving as the party's Tamil Nadu state President from 2004 to 2007, a period marked by attempts to expand the BJP's footprint in the Dravidian heartland.
Radhakrishnan assumed charge as Governor of Maharashtra on July 31, 2024, after a stint as Governor of Jharkhand (February 2023–July 2024).
He was also entrusted with additional responsibilities as the Governor of Telangana (March–July 2024) and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (March–August 2024).
The BJP's choice underscores the party's effort to position a Tamil face at the national level ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu.
With his deep RSS roots and administrative experience, Radhakrishnan's nomination signals the NDA's intent to strengthen its southern strategy.
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Hindustan Times
18 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Rooted in RSS ideology, NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan known to be affable
Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance's nominee for the upcoming vice-presidential elections, was picked after detailed discussions with alliance partners, and the party's ideological fount, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), people familiar with the details said on Sunday. CP Radhakrishnan The 68-year-old BJP leader who is rooted in the RSS ideology is known in the party as a soft-spoken, non-controversial figure, who is also the only BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, to have been elected to the Lok Sabha twice in 1998 and 1999. (HT Photo) The 68-year-old BJP leader who is rooted in the RSS ideology is known in the party as a soft-spoken, non-controversial figure, who is also the only BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, to have been elected to the Lok Sabha twice in 1998 and 1999. Currently the governor of Maharashtra, a position he has held since July 31, 2024, Radhakrishnan, an OBC from the Goundar-Kongu Vellalar community, was born in Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu, where he went on to earn a bachelor's degree in business administration. People close to Raj Bhavan said the Maharashtra governor was sounded out about his possible candidature on Sunday afternoon, after which he paid a visit to the famous Siddhivinayak temple to seek blessings of the deity. Having cut his teeth in public life as an RSS Swayamsevak, he rose to become the state executive committee member of the Bharatiya Janasangh in 1974. His colleagues said his affability and ability to steer the party without conflict and controversy were the reasons why he was picked to head the state unit in 2004. Party leaders welcomed his nomination, describing him as an 'excellent choice for the role', because of his 'pragmatic, straightforward and clean image'. Although as governor of Jharkhand between February 2023 and July 2024, he locked horns with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha government over a host of issues, particularly concerning the tribal communities, his gubernatorial stint was not as combative as those of other BJP governors in non-NDA-ruled states or even his predecessor Ramesh Bais in Jharkhand or Bhagat Singh Koshyari in Maharashtra. A table tennis player and a long-distance runner, Radhakrishnan's elevation as governor in 2023 was seen as the party's attempt to create a new political order in the state unit. A man with friendly ties across the political divide, he was also called the 'Vajpayee of Coimbatore', for his conciliatory politics. But with the rise of K Annamalai, there was a stir in the party unit, which was attributed to testy relations between the old order and the young crop. The differences came to the fore when Radhakrishnan and Annamalai took a divergent stance on the issue of calling a bandh in Coimbatore against the ruling DMK. While Radhakrishnan gave the call for a bandh, the legal counsel for Annamalai told the Madras high court that no such announcement was made. His nomination for the VP's post is also being read as the party's attempts to strengthen its outreach and footprint in the southern region, particularly in Tamil Nadu where elections are due in 2026. His stint as a parliamentarian, his dyed in the wool RSS credentials and cordial ties with leaders across the political spectrum are seen as attributes that would help him steer the House of Elders as chairman. Although the NDA's strength in the Upper House is 132 members (of 240) and the alliance is expected to win the polls comfortably, the BJP is hopeful that the nominee will get support from other parties that are not part of the opposition's INDIA bloc. In an interview with Sansad TV, Radhakrishnan earlier said he never developed enmity with anyone in his political career and moved along with everyone. 'Some things you don't like can be avoided silently. That was my earlier day character. There was a bomb blast in Coimbatore. I was against the terrorist but not against Muslims. When some Muslims approached me, I went to the police and said that they must arrest only those who are connected with the blast. No one expected this. That's why I am called the Vajpayee of Coimbatore,' he said in the interview.
Hindustan Times
18 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan is NDA pick for Vice Presidential polls
CP Radakrishnan, the governor of Maharashtra, was announced on Sunday as the National Democratic Alliance candidate for the Vice Presidential polls scheduled for September 9. The decision was taken by the Bharatiya Janata Party's highest decision making body, the Parliamentary Board, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday evening. CP Radhakrishnan (ANI) BJP president JP Nadda told the media that the decision to nominate the 68-year old Radhakrishnan, who was earlier the governor of Jharkhand (2023 to 2024) and had additional charge of Telangana and served as the lieutenant governor of Puducherry, was taken after 'extensive discussions with the NDA partners'. Nadda said senior leaders of the BJP had also reached out to the opposition parties to support the NDA's nominee. 'The opposition leaders conveyed to us that their decision to support the nominee will depend on the candidate…we are hopeful that the VP will be elected by consensus,' Nadda said. Shortly after his name was announced, Radhakrishnan said on X, 'My heartfelt thanks to our beloved People's leader our most respected Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji , our beloved most respected Honourable Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji, our beloved most respected Honourable Central Minister and @BJP4India President Shri @JPNadda Ji, our beloved most respected Honourable Parliamentary board members , our beloved most respected Honourable Central Ministers , our beloved most respected Honourable NDA partners for choosing me as their Vice Presidential Candidate. I am moved and touched beyond words for the confidence they have in me and giving me the opportunity to serve the Nation. I assure to work hard for the Nation until my last breath. Jai Hind!' In a post on X, Modi said, 'In his long years in public life, Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji has distinguished himself with his dedication, humility and intellect. During the various positions he has held, he has always focused on community service and empowering the marginalised. He has done extensive work at the grassroots in Tamil Nadu. I am glad that the NDA family has decided to nominate him as the Vice Presidential candidate of our alliance.' Radhakrishnan was twice elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore and is a former state president of the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit. According to people aware of the details, the 11-member board, which met at the party headquarters in the Capital, had detailed discussions on the names that were shortlisted for the election. Elections to pick the new VP will be held on September 9, and the last date for filing of nominations is August 21. The vacancy arose after the incumbent, Jagdeep Dhankhar, announced a sudden resignation on July 21, citing health concerns. The Parliamentary Board includes party president JP Nadda, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Sarbanand Sonowal, former Karnataka CM BS Yedyurappa, BL Santhosh, national general secretary (organisation) OBC cell chief K Laxman, Sudha Yadav, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, and Satyanarayan Jatiya. Earlier, on August 7, leaders of the NDA partners had authorised Modi and Nadda to choose the candidate for the upcoming election. At the meeting of NDA leaders held in Parliament, JDU leader and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh moved the proposal to authorise Modi and Nadda to make the selection, while TDP's Ram Mohan Naidu seconded it. Commenting on Radhakrishnan's candidature, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut told news agency ANI, 'He is a very good personality, non-controversial. He has a lot of experience. I extend my best wishes to him.' Manoj Kumar Jha of the RJD said, 'From Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, one of India's most respected philosophers and statesmen, to CP Radhakrishnan reflects the journey in our parliamentary democracy so far. Only time shall tell us whether the gentleman chosen as VP candidate desires to match S Radhakrishnan or complies with the desire of the ones who have chosen him to be there.'
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
BJP names non-controversial CP Radhakrishnan as VP nominee
Coimbatore: The BJP 's announcement of Maharashtra governor C P Radhakrishnan as its vice presidential candidate is seen as yet another move as part of the saffron party's focus on Tamil Nadu . Radhakrishnan also hails from Tirupur, part of Western Tamil Nadu, where the BJP enjoys a relatively stronger base in the state. Belonging to the gounder community, that forms a majority in the western districts, Radhakrishnan has also remained a non-controversial leader who enjoyed warm relationships with leaders of other parties. A former state president of BJP, Radhakrishnan first became a Lok Sabha MP in 1998 and was reelected in 1999 too. Since then he had held multiple party and gubernatarial posts. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Gold Rates Today in Chennai | Silver Rates Today in Chennai Unlike other BJP appointed governors, he had avoided controversies. Partymen say Radhakrishnan, who enjoyed close ties with stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, maintained a non controversial and clean profile throughout his four decades of public life. BJP functionaries in TN say that his candidature will not only consolidate BJP's base in western Tamil Nadu, but would also draw support from other parts of the state. They note that after R Venkatraman (1984-87) none from Tamil Nadu had held the post of VP. "It was BJP which made a Tamilian as president (Abdul Kalam) in recent years. Now it is again our party which is making another Tamilian as VP,'' said a senior BJP functionary. Known as CPR (Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan), Radhakrishnan became state executive committee member of the Bharatiya Janasangh in 1974, when he was barely 17 years old. Growing up the ranks steadily through his hard work, he was appointed as state secretary of the BJP in 1996. Two years later, he became Coimbatore Lok Sabha MP and state president in 2004. He was made BJP incharge for Kerala in 2020 and Jharkhand governor in 2023. BJP men say that CPR was an avid sportsperson. "He is a very simple and honest person. It is a big recognition for Tamil Nadu,'' said BJP national women's wing president Vanathi Srinivasan. From recognizing the legacy of Rajendra Chola to announcement of CPR as VP candidate, Prime minister Narendra Modi has been according special place to TN, she said. BJP state general secretary AP Muruganandam said CPR was the right choice for the post of VP. "Kongu region has been supporting NDA. The announcement of CPR as VP candidate is not only a gift to the region, but also to the entire state," he said. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K PAlaniswami congratulated CPR and thanked Modi for choosing a candidate from TN for the post. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
