PM Modi urges opposition to support NDA pick CP Radhakrishnan as Vice President

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to all political parties, including the opposition, to extend unanimous support to the NDA’s Vice-Presidential nominee, CP Radhakrishnan.

Modi praised Radhakrishnan for his long public service, humility, and integrity, a life described as “controversy-free,” during a meeting with MPs of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. He emphasized that Radhakrishnan’s experience would enrich the nation.

Radhakrishnan — currently the Governor of Maharashtra and a senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu — one of only two nominees by NDA following Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation, is expected to file his nomination on August 20. The Vice-Presidential election is scheduled for Sep 9.

In remarks to the media, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reiterated the PM's call for unanimity, noting the NDA seeks an unopposed election. The ruling alliance MPs have already felicitated Radhakrishnan at a Parliamentary Party meeting chaired by Modi.

Political outreach has also intensified in Tamil Nadu. BJP State President Nainar Nagendran described Radhakrishnan's nomination as a "moment of pride for Tamils" and urged DMK and INDIA bloc members from the state to support his candidacy. Meanwhile, AIADMK joined the chorus by appealing to state MPs to rise above partisan issues.

However, DMK has declined to endorse, dismissing it as a politically motivated move ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

The INDIA bloc is actively deliberating its own candidate, convening at Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence.

Potential contenders include former ISRO scientist Mylswamy Annadurai and Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson. Opposition leaders have framed the contest around issues of democracy and constitutional values.

The election marks the first early Vice-Presidential poll since 1987, triggered by Dhankhar’s resignation. The Election Commission has finalized the election schedule, with nominations closing on Aug 21 and filing of nominations ending on Aug 25.