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In a strategic bid to consolidate support and highlight Tamil pride, the Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formally urged the state's ruling DMK and the Opposition's INDIA bloc to back the nomination of CP Radhakrishnan for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. The election for the post is scheduled for September 9th.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) announced Radhakrishnan, a prominent leader from Tamil Nadu and the current Governor of Maharashtra, as their candidate on Sunday evening.
BJP State President Nainar Nagendran issued a heartfelt appeal to the INDIA Alliance parties in Tamil Nadu, describing Radhakrishnan's nomination as a "historic moment" and a "proud recognition for all Tamil people."
He emphasised that support for Radhakrishnan, a "son of Tamil soil," would be remembered as a "milestone in healthy politics" if all parties could transcend political boundaries to honour a Tamil leader. "Therefore, I sincerely appeal to all leaders and members of the INDI Alliance in Tamil Nadu to rise above party lines and extend their support," Nagendran urged.
The BJP's ally in Tamil Nadu, the principal opposition AIADMK, has also lauded the national party's choice of a nominee from the state. However, leaders from the ruling DMK have yet to officially respond to Radhakrishnan's nomination.
While the NDA does not require the DMK's numbers in the Lok Sabha (22 members) or Rajya Sabha (10 members) for a victory, the BJP is actively reaching out to the Dravidian party and its allies, including the Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, CPI (M), and CPI, imploring them to set aside political differences and support a Tamilian candidate.
Interestingly, Radhakrishnan had met with the Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin at his Chennai residence on August 11th. At the time, the meeting was publicly framed as a courtesy call to inquire about Stalin's health following his recent hospitalisation.
CP Radhakrishnan, hailing from the Gounder community in western Tamil Nadu – a region historically dominated by the AIADMK, with the DMK making recent inroads – has strong roots within the RSS and previously served as the state president of the Tamil Nadu BJP.
Radhakrishnan's nomination comes at a crucial juncture, with the Tamil Nadu assembly elections looming next year. The DMK has been critical of the BJP, often accusing it of being "anti-Tamil." The BJP's nomination of Radhakrishnan is seen as a calculated move to enhance its outreach to the Tamil populace and counter such narratives.
However, DMK spokesperson A Saravanan remained skeptical, stating that the BJP's decision "will not influence voters." He pointed to the electoral defeat of former BJP state president L Murugan in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, despite his appointment as a Union minister, as evidence. "Radhakrishnan is an RSS man. What benefit can be brought to the people of Tamil Nadu? People of Tamil Nadu can see through what the BJP is doing," Saravanan asserted.
