The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) held its parliamentary party meeting at the Parliament Library building on Monday to felicitate its Vice-Presidential candidate CP Radhakrishnan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President JP Nadda, and several union ministers and MPs, including Piyush Goyal, Jitendra Singh, Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Sambit Patra, attended the gathering. Radhakrishnan, welcomed warmly by party leaders, was the centre of the occasion.
Earlier, the NDA held an introductory meeting with floor leaders, where Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed hope for a broad consensus on Radhakrishnan’s candidature. Rijiju praised him as a leader of humility, intellect, and grassroots commitment.
Radhakrishnan is set to file his nomination papers on August 20, supported by around 160 MPs, including 20 proposers and 20 seconders. The Vice-Presidential election is scheduled for September 9. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been appointed as his campaign manager, while Rijiju will serve as election agent.
A veteran politician, Radhakrishnan has served as a Member of Parliament and Governor of Jharkhand and Telangana. Prime Minister Modi lauded his decades-long service and dedication to public life, particularly in Tamil Nadu.
The NDA aims for a unanimous election, with BJP chief JP Nadda reaching out to opposition parties for support. Political observers view his nomination as a strategic signal ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections.
The Vice-Presidential election will be conducted under Articles 64–68 of the Constitution, following the proportional representation system with a secret ballot.
