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The INDIA bloc is expected to begin discussions on its Vice-Presidential election nominee during a crucial meeting on Monday morning. The same session will also decide how the alliance plans to handle Parliamentary proceedings, which have been disrupted after a standoff with the government over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The clash between both sides had almost stalled the Monsoon Session’s business.
According to sources, floor leaders from all INDIA bloc parties will gather at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s office before Parliament resumes. The meeting carries significance because of two issues the upcoming Vice-Presidential election and the resumption of legislative work after the extended Independence Day break.
With the BJP-led NDA naming Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its Vice-Presidential nominee, the opposition bloc is also weighing its options. Leaders have “in principle” agreed to put forward a joint candidate to underline the ideological divide with the ruling party, even though the outcome of the election appears to be in NDA’s favour.
At 68, CP Radhakrishnan is poised to become the next Vice-President of India. The BJP’s parliamentary board cleared his name on Sunday for the constitutional post, which also makes him the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Despite the INDIA bloc’s plans to contest, numbers clearly favour the NDA. The ruling alliance has 427 MPs (Lok Sabha: 293, Rajya Sabha: 134), while the opposition holds 354 MPs (Lok Sabha: 249, Rajya Sabha: 105). With the winning threshold at 392 votes, Radhakrishnan’s election looks almost certain.
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Sources suggest that the decision to pick Radhakrishnan is linked to several factors. Belonging to the OBC Gounder (Kongu Vellalar) community, a dominant group in western Tamil Nadu, he brings caste representation ahead of next year’s Tamil Nadu polls. His long association with the RSS and his political journey from the Jana Sangh to BJP grassroots leadership also worked in his favour.
Popularly known as “CP”, Radhakrishnan has had a long career in politics. A two-time Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore, he later served as the Governor of Jharkhand before being moved to Maharashtra, a shift seen as a promotion. His gubernatorial roles gave him valuable administrative experience, which will be useful in managing Rajya Sabha proceedings.
The BJP now has another strong Gounder face in Tamil Nadu alongside former state party chief K Annamalai. Interestingly, AIADMK leader E. Palaniswami, an NDA ally, also belongs to the same community. This adds political weight to the choice, especially with the state elections on the horizon. Observers also note that Radhakrishnan has maintained smooth relations with both DMK and AIADMK during his career, something that could aid in building consensus in his new role.
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