Veep Election: BJP’s TN pick, INDIA bloc reaction, numbers
By : Krishna Mishra
The Vice Presidential election will be a one-sided contest, with the BJP-led NDA holding 422 MPs in both Houses, well above the 394 votes needed. With support from allies and likely backing from the YSR Congress, NDA nominee and Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan is expected to win easily.
The opposition INDIA bloc will still put forward a candidate to highlight unity and democratic principles ahead of upcoming elections in Bihar (2025) and in Tamil Nadu, Bengal, and Assam (2026). Names under consideration include DMK MP Tiruchi Siva and former ISRO scientist Mylswami Annadurai.
The BJP’s nomination of a Tamil Nadu leader is seen as a strategic move to pressure the DMK, a key INDIA ally. Rejecting the choice risks being branded “anti-Tamil,” while acceptance could cause friction within the alliance.
The Trinamool Congress has renewed its demand for a non-political face, echoing its position during the 2022 Vice Presidential election. To avoid divisions, the INDIA bloc may look for a consensus option.
If chosen, CP Radhakrishnan will become the third Vice President from Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him as a leader of “dedication, humility, and intellect.”