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In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming Vice Presidential election, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has officially named Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate. The decision was made during a high-level meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Parliamentary Board, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The election to choose India’s next Vice President is scheduled for September 9, with the final date for nominations set as August 21. The post fell vacant following the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 due to health reasons.
At 68, Radhakrishnan brings decades of political and administrative experience to the table. A veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, he has served two terms as Member of Parliament from Coimbatore and was also the party’s state president. His recent gubernatorial roles in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Telangana—as well as a stint as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry—underscore his deep familiarity with governance across diverse regions.
Announcing the decision, BJP president JP Nadda said the selection was the result of “extensive discussions with NDA allies” and expressed optimism about gaining wider support. “We reached out to several opposition parties. Many have said they will decide based on the candidate. We are hopeful the election will be unanimous,” Nadda said at the press briefing.
Sources within the party indicated that the 11-member Parliamentary Board considered multiple names before unanimously backing Radhakrishnan. The board includes prominent leaders like Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Sarbananda Sonowal, along with senior BJP strategists and state-level influencers.
The NDA’s choice follows a resolution passed on August 7, when alliance partners empowered PM Modi and JP Nadda to finalize the Vice Presidential nominee. Leaders such as JDU’s Rajiv Ranjan Singh and TDP’s Ram Mohan Naidu were among those who endorsed the resolution during a coordination meeting in Parliament.
The BJP is now aiming to secure broader political consensus, potentially avoiding a contested vote and positioning Radhakrishnan as a unifying figure for the Vice Presidency.
As the deadline for nominations approaches, all eyes will be on whether the Opposition decides to field a rival or back the NDA’s nominee in a rare show of political unity.
