CP Radhakrishnan- BJP’s vice-presidential pick puts DMK in a tight spot; Here we explain it
The saffron party's decision is being viewed as a strategic attempt to pressure the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), recalling the party's controversial stance during the 2012 presidential election when it declined to support former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
Chennai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strategically nominated CP Radhakrishnan, the Governor of Maharashtra and a native of Tamil Nadu, as its candidate for the upcoming vice-presidential election. This move is seen as an attempt to corner the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) by reviving memories of the Abdul Kalam controversy, where the DMK faced criticism for not supporting the late President’s re-election bid in 2012.
With the filing of nominations ending on August 21, the BJP’s decision has sparked fresh political tensions in Tamil Nadu. The DMK, part of the opposition INDIA alliance, now faces a dilemma—whether to support a Tamil candidate fielded by the BJP or risk being accused of disregarding Tamil pride once again.
The BJP and its ally, the AIADMK, have long accused the DMK of failing to support Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India’s beloved former President and a Tamilian, during the 2012 presidential election. At the time, the Congress-led UPA (which included the DMK) chose Pranab Mukherjee over Kalam for the presidency. The late DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi had dismissed Kalam as a "rebel" and backed the Congress candidate, leading to Kalam’s withdrawal from the race.
This decision has haunted the DMK for over a decade, with opposition leaders frequently raising the issue, particularly in Ramanathapuram, Kalam’s hometown. Recently, AIADMK chief Edappadi Palaniswami reignited the debate during a visit to the district, accusing the DMK of betraying Tamil sentiments. By nominating Radhakrishnan, the BJP has ensured that the DMK faces renewed scrutiny over its stance on Tamil leaders in national roles.
The BJP’s move places the DMK in a difficult position. If the INDIA alliance fields a non-Tamil candidate for the vice-presidential election, the DMK could face accusations of once again side-lining a Tamil leader for political expediency. On the other hand, if the opposition supports CP Radhakrishnan—an unlikely scenario given the BJP’s dominance in the electoral college—the DMK risks appearing aligned with its ideological rival.
Alternatively, if the DMK opposes Radhakrishnan's candidature, it may be framed as anti-Tamil, much like during the Kalam episode. The BJP’s decision thus serves as a political checkmate, forcing the DMK to either endorse a BJP-backed Tamil candidate or face criticism for neglecting Tamil representation.
With the vice-presidential election process underway, all eyes are now on the DMK’s next move. Will the party push for a Tamil candidate from the INDIA alliance? Or will it attempt to deflect the BJP’s narrative by dismissing Radhakrishnan’s nomination as mere tokenism? The answer could shape Tamil Nadu’s political discourse ahead of the crucial 2026 Assembly elections.