NEW DELHI: A carefully planned strategy by the BJP-led NDA resulted in a clear victory for their nominee, CP Radhakrishnan, in the Vice Presidential election on Tuesday.
Radhakrishnan won with 452 first-preference votes, while his opponent, the Opposition’s B Sudarshana Reddy, received 300 votes. While the outcome was widely expected, the NDA candidate received 14 more votes than anticipated.
A senior BJP leader involved in the strategy told TNIE, “More than a dozen meetings were held with NDA partners. Everyone was assigned to ensure 100% voting. The BJP, which led the campaign, made every NDA MP feel involved in the result.”
The BJP chose Radhakrishnan as the NDA candidate for Vice President soon after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned. The 68-year-old was notably active in his campaign, meeting hundreds of NDA MPs and even seeking support from some Opposition members in what was described as a “gentlemanly campaign.” His efforts paid off, as he secured 452 votes out of 754 cast, with 15 votes declared invalid.
One BJP leader noted, “Although the 150-vote margin is one of the lowest in Vice-Presidential polls, the way the NDA stayed united since Dhankhar’s resignation taught the Opposition a lesson in alliance management.” The voting figures also suggested that some Opposition MPs had voted for the NDA candidate.
CP Radhakrishnan was chosen from three shortlisted candidates due to his wide political and administrative experience. His selection is seen as part of the BJP’s plan to expand its influence in Tamil Nadu and show that the party supports leaders from the South. His long-standing ties with the RSS were also a key factor, highlighting his strong loyalty and nationalist credentials.
Described by supporters as a ‘pachai Tamizhan’ (a true-blue Tamil), Radhakrishnan was serving as the Governor of Maharashtra when he was named the vice-presidential nominee. He joined the RSS as a teenager and has risen through the ranks of both the organization and the BJP. He belongs to the OBC community, and his election further supports the BJP’s claim of being a champion for OBC causes.
With input from TNIE
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
