On August 17, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officially declared C. P. Radhakrishnan as the candidate of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the upcoming Vice Presidential election. This announcement came after an important meeting of the BJP’s parliamentary board, which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president J. P. Nadda, and several other senior leaders of the party. During this time, Amit Shah also personally met with Radhakrishnan, praising his decades-long service in public life and highlighting his leadership qualities, administrative capabilities, and organisational experience. In a post on social media following their meeting, Shah expressed his confidence that Radhakrishnan’s broad exposure and deep understanding of governance would greatly enrich the nation’s democratic dialogue and political discourse.
The need for a Vice Presidential election arose unexpectedly after the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, citing health concerns as the reason. Dhankhar, who is 74 years old, had only completed two years of his tenure, which began in August 2022, before stepping down. His early departure created a significant political vacuum, leading to the quick nomination process by the NDA to ensure continuity in the Vice President’s role. The NDA’s selection of Radhakrishnan is not only seen as a response to this vacancy but also as a carefully calculated move with broader political implications, particularly in the state of Tamil Nadu.
The choice of Radhakrishnan as the NDA nominee is widely interpreted as a strategic step to strengthen the BJP’s presence in Tamil Nadu, a state where the party has been striving to gain ground. By putting forward a prominent leader from the state, the BJP aims to appeal to Tamil voters ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for next year. At the same time, his nomination places the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), an influential member of the Indian opposition alliance, in a difficult position. The DMK, with its base in Tamil Nadu, faces pressure between supporting a candidate who represents its home state or aligning firmly with the opposition bloc’s choice. With 32 Members of Parliament, the DMK’s decision could prove crucial. Reports suggest that the party has already urged the INDIA alliance to consider nominating a leader from Tamil Nadu to counter the NDA’s move and maintain balance in regional representation.
C. P. Radhakrishnan’s personal and political journey adds weight to his nomination. Born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, in 1957, he began his political involvement in 1974 with the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, the ideological forerunner of the BJP. Over the years, he rose steadily within the party, eventually being elected twice to the Lok Sabha from the Coimbatore constituency. He has held significant leadership positions, such as serving as the president of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit, the chairman of the Coir Board, and even as the Governor of Jharkhand and Maharashtra. His career reflects a wide spectrum of responsibilities that include grassroots organisational work, parliamentary contributions, and international representation. Notably, he has represented India on global platforms like the United Nations, in addition to leading major campaigns within the country on social and economic issues. Collectively, these roles demonstrate his versatility as a political leader who combines local, national, and international experience, making him a formidable candidate for the position of Vice President.
