Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday evening called Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to seek Opposition support for the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) Vice Presidential nominee, CP Radhakrishnan, sources said.
According to sources, the Vice Presidential election scheduled for September 9 will be overseen by Rajnath Singh on behalf of the NDA, while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has been appointed as the election agent.
The NDA formally named Radhakrishnan, the current Governor of Maharashtra, as its candidate on Sunday. The announcement was made by BJP National President JP Nadda after the party’s Parliamentary Board meeting in New Delhi.
Nadda emphasised that the ruling alliance would reach out to Opposition parties to seek a consensus. “We will talk to the Opposition as well. Together, we should ensure an unopposed election for the post of Vice President. Senior leaders have been in touch earlier, and we will continue our efforts,” Nadda said.
Radhakrishnan, a veteran BJP leader, has previously served as Governor of Jharkhand, Telangana, and Puducherry. He was twice elected MP from Coimbatore, headed the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit, and chaired the Coir Board, where he oversaw record export growth. Known for his grassroots connect and long-standing public service, he began his political journey with the RSS and Jan Sangh before rising through the BJP ranks.
The Vice Presidential election will be held on September 9, with polling and counting scheduled for the same day. The last date for filing nominations is August 21, while withdrawals can be made until August 25.
The post fell vacant after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, citing health reasons, at the start of Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
