"We congratulate him. But he should also look at what happened with Dhankhar Sahab..."

NDA Chooses Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan as VP candidate Latest News

The NDA on Sunday announced Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan as the Vice Presidential candidate for the Vice-Presidential election scheduled to be held on September 9 this year.

C.P. Radhakrishnan has served as the BJP president for the state of Tamil Nadu from 2004 to 2007 and is an RSS veteran.

The 67-year-old has also served as the governor of Jharkhand. According to a report by the Indian Express, choosing C.P. Radhakrishnan as the presidential candidate ahead of the Assembly Election in Tamil Nadu next year is in line with the party's ‘Mission South’ approach. C.P. Radhakrishnan also had a ‘good working relationship’ with the DMK, the report said, citing party insiders.

“All aspects were discussed during the Parliamentary Board meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi… it was decided that our Maharashtra Governor… C P Radhakrishnan will be the NDA’s nominee for the post of Vice-President,” BJP national president J P Nadda is quoted as saying in the report. Nadda made the statement to the press following the meeting.

PM Modi, taking to X, following the announcement, said, “In his long years in public life, Thiru C P Radhakrishnan Ji has distinguished himself with his dedication, humility and intellect. During the various positions he has held, he has always focused on community service and empowering the marginalised. He has done extensive work at the grassroots in Tamil Nadu. I am glad that the NDA family has decided to nominate him as the Vice Presidential candidate of our alliance.”

PM minister Narendra Modi, in a separate post, said, “Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji has rich experience as MP and Governor of various states. His Parliamentary interventions were always incisive. During his gubernatorial tenures, he focused on addressing challenges faced by common citizens. These experiences ensured that he has vast knowledge of legislative and Constitutional matters. I am confident he will be an inspiring Vice President.”

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Governor and NDA candidate for Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, on Monday left for Delhi. CM Devendra Fadnavis, state Cabinet Minister, and Mumbai BJP President Ashish Shelar saw him off at the airport.

Leaders' reactions to NDA announcing C.P. Radhakrishnan as the Vice Presidential candidate:

Many leaders across political lines showed support, citing the decades of experience of Radhakrishnan.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, said C.P. Radhakrishnan has a “very balanced personality.”

Speaking to ANI, Raut continued, “If the Governor of Maharashtra becomes the Vice President, we will be happy, but an election will take place. The INDIA alliance will make a decision, I cannot say what that decision will be... but today we will discuss it and decide. There is a more serious issue in the country than the Vice Presidency, the issue of vote theft, and we do not want to divert attention from it..."

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, "The INDIA alliance leaders have had a few discussions on this matter and I'm expecting that there would be a consensus and we would hear the discussion made public very soon..."

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned where the former President Jaghdeep Dhankar is. He said, "The position of Vice President is vacant. There was a Vice President here. Where is he?”

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said if Radhakrishnan gets elected the dignity of ‘the post’  will be restored, hopefully.

 "CP Radhakrishnan has been the Governor of Maharashtra for the past one year... He has also been the Governor of Jharkhand, an MP, and I hope that if he is elected, the dignity of this position will be fully restored, as we have seen this position weakened significantly.”

TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti, citing the vast experience of Radhakrishnan, said “He is a very good choice."

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal called it a ‘welcome step’. “CP Radhakrishnan is a highly learned person and understands parliamentary decorum. There is full hope that he will bring dignity not only as Vice President but also as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha...All of us congratulate him..." he added.

Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav says, “We don’t have much information yet, but we believe that people from South India are capable and good."

Haryana Minister Anil Vij said, "He has discharged his responsibilities very efficiently... BJP has put forward his name for the Vice President post from the South."

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, remarked, "...His tenure in South India, especially as a parliamentarian and governor of several states, and now being named the Vice Presidential candidate, clearly shows that his becoming Vice President is certain.”

NCP-SCP MLA Rohit Pawar commented, "CP Radhakrishnan is close to RSS and BJP. He was deliberately sent to Maharashtra... Now he is being made Vice President. We congratulate him. But he should also look at what happened with Dhankhar Sahab..."

Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma says, "I welcome this decision, it is a very good name, he has many years of experience. He is a big name in the South. Currently, he is doing very good work as the Governor of Maharashtra. He is a grassroots worker who has reached here on his own strength...He understands Hindutva, Indianness...I think that DMK will also welcome and support him."

BJP MP Ghulam Ali Khatana said, “His experience will benefit the entire country."

RSP MP NK Premachandran stated, "The INDIA alliance will definitely discuss on the Vice President election. We have not taken a final decision on the Vice President election. All parties will engage in both formal and informal discussions to reach a final decision on this issue. It will be announced at the earliest..."

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