CP Radhakrishnan vs who? Why DMK's pushing INDIA bloc for a Tamil vs Tamil contest for India's V-P
Scrambling to counter the BJP's Tamil pitch ahead of the 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, the DMK has suggested the Congress-led INDIA bloc alliance consider putting up a South Indian candidate—ideally a Tamil Nadu-based individual—for the vice-presidential race to counter the NDA narrative.
Chennai: With the BJP-led NDA fielding Tamil Nadu-born C.P. Radhakrishnan as its vice-presidential nominee, the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu finds itself in a political bind, not wanting to oppose him, lest they be accused of being anti-Tamil by the AIADMK-led NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu.
'Although we do not have a problem in supporting a Tamil candidate from the Opposition camp, it would go against the anti-BJP image that has been built in the state all these years. If we go against the BJP candidate and support a candidate from a different state from the INDIA bloc, it would damage us back in Tamil Nadu. Hence, we have suggested a candidate from Tamil Nadu,' a highly placed source in the DMK told ThePrint.
The source also added that they have recommended Congress MP Manickam Tagore (from Virudhunagar onstituency) and DMK Deputy general secretary and Rajya Sabha Trichy Siva as the INDIA bloc's vice-president candidate.
'They are not just Tamilian, they also have a presence in other southern states. It would be a safer bet for us,' the source in DMK told ThePrint, adding that the suggestion was made keeping in mind the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala.
Meanwhile, a few of the INDIA bloc partners have suggested nominating a person from a non-political background, DMK has also suggested scientist Myilswamy Annadurai for the position.
Speaking to ThePrint, DMK spokesperson and former MP T.K.S. Elangovan said the party has decided to support the INDIA bloc candidate. 'At the national level, we have to take decisions in accordance with the Congress' suggestion. So, we have told them that we will support the INDIA bloc alliance candidate,' he told ThePrint.
When asked about it, Congress leaders were tight-lipped and said that they would know the INDIA bloc decision after a meeting in the evening with Congress leaders Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
Even before the INDIA bloc alliance announce their stand as the primary opposition party in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK has raised its pitch in favour of NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan, currently governor of Maharashtra. Speaking to the reporters in Tiruvannamalai district on Monday, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami indirectly asked DMK MPs to support the NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan.
'NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is a Tamilian, would be the apt person for the position. Since he is a Tamilian, cutting across the party lines, all the MPs from Tamil Nadu should support his candidature and make him the Vice-President of India and make all Tamilians proud of it,' Edappadi K. Palaniswami told the reporters.
NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan, a native of Coimbatore district, joined the RSS at the age of 16 and worked in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. He successfully contested the 1998 Lok Sabha election when the BJP was in alliance with the AIADMK and then in the 1999 Lok Sabha election, when the BJP was in alliance with the DMK. He has served as the president of BJP's Tamil Nadu unit between May 2003 and September 2006. He also served as Chairman of the All India Coir Board under the Ministry of MSME between 2016 and 2020.
On the other hand, Manickam Tagore, a native of Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu, joined the Congress in 1994, becoming the Virudhunagar district secretary of NSUI. He later became the All India general secretary of NSUI and then Vice President of NSUI by 1999.
He was first elected to Lok Sabha in 2009. Since 2019, he has represented Virudhunagar in the Lok Sabha. He has also held positions including AICC Secretary in-charge of Karnataka between 2017 and 2020, AICC in-charge for Telangana between 2020 and 2023, and AICC in-charge for Andhra Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 2023. Currently, he serves as the Congress Party's whip in the Lok Sabha.
The other candidate, Tiruchi N. Siva, is a five-time MP in the Rajya Sabha and is known for his articulate presence. A lawyer by training, he joined politics through DMK's student and youth wing. He held several positions in the party, including propaganda secretary. He was honoured with the Best Parliamentarian award in 2019 and he heads the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: EC announces Vice President poll on 9 September, nominations by 21 August
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