The DMK has suggested that the opposition coalition should field a candidate from Tamil Nadu against Radhakrishnan, sources say
The BJP-led NDA may have tried to corner the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu by urging it to support the nomination of CP Radhakrishnan for the post of vice-president but state Chief Minister MK Stalin is said to have asked INDIA bloc to field its own candidate from the key southern state.
The DMK has suggested that the opposition coalition should field a candidate from Tamil Nadu against Radhakrishnan, sources say.
‘Son of Tamil soil’
BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagendran on Monday described the nomination as a “historic moment”, calling Radhakrishnan “the son of Tamil soil”.
Apparently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to Stalin, asking him to support a common candidate for the post before the BJP formally announced the name. The senior BJP leader has been tasked with building consensus on NDA’s vice president nominee and will supervise the election on BJP’s behalf. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has been made his election agent.
Singh is said to have dialled several Opposition leaders, including Congress’ Sonia Gandhi, BJD chief Naveen Patnaik and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to seek support, sources said, adding that he will also be interacting with leaders of other parties
Radhakrishnan also called on Stalin before the BJP announced his candidature, “but Stalin did not make any commitment,.” according to reports.
Tough call for DMK
The fact is, it is a tough call for the DMK. Opposing a candidate from Tamil Nadu may not go down well with Radhakrishnan’s community ahead of Assembly elections next year. At the same time, however, the key INDIA bloc partner cannot be seen politically backing a BJP candidate.
Tamil Nadu Congress leaders are in touch with central leadership which is expected to take a call on opposition’ candidate soon.
Some DMK leaders also said that the NDA naming a Tamilian did not make it “pro-Tamil”.
DMK rival AIADMK has hailed the decision
The NDA move is seen as a significant political messaging for the southern state dominated by Dravidian politics.
“I urge all MPs from Tamil Nadu, regardless of political differences, to support him. This is a significant chance for someone from Tamil Nadu to become Vice President of India. All MPs should support CP Radhakrishnan,” AIADMK leader Edapadi K Palanisamy was quoted as saying
The nomination of Radhakrishnan signals social engineering and fits the BJP’s expansion plans in South India where, apart from Karnataka, the saffron party has not been able to do much in other four states, particularly Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
A man with strong pan- South India appeal, he comes with strong connection with BJP’s ideological fountainhead RSS.
