With the Vice-Presidential election scheduled for September 9 and the last date for filing nominations set for August 21, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has stepped up efforts to secure widespread political support for its candidate, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan.
Senior BJP leader and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been tasked by the party’s top leadership to build consensus across party lines and avoid a fiercely contested poll. On Sunday, Singh reportedly reached out to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to seek their support for Radhakrishnan’s candidature, as part of a broader effort to ensure an unopposed election to the country’s second-highest constitutional post.

The outreach is aligned with the BJP’s stated strategy of keeping the process consultative and inclusive, and it comes just one day after BJP chief J.P. Nadda formally announced Radhakrishnan as the NDA nominee following a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board.

NDA’s Candidate CP Radhakrishnan and Consensus Effort

While announcing the nominee, Nadda noted that senior BJP leaders would remain in touch with the Opposition to explore the possibility of a consensus candidate and prevent a politically charged contest.
“We will speak to the Opposition as well. We should also get their support so that together we can ensure an unopposed election for the post of Vice President,” Nadda said. He added that senior leaders had already opened lines of communication and would continue the outreach in the coming days.

Rajnath Singh, who will supervise the election on behalf of the BJP, has been specifically directed to engage key Opposition leaders in constructive dialogue. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has been appointed as the election agent, signaling the NDA’s intention to conduct the campaign with formal structure and coordination.

NDA Allies Welcome the Nomination

NDA allies have strongly welcomed the selection of CP Radhakrishnan, praising his extensive service in public life and the inclusive approach taken by the ruling coalition.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his support on social media, calling Radhakrishnan a “respected leader and senior statesman”, and assuring the full backing of his party.
Chirag Paswan, President of LJP (Ramvilas), celebrated the nomination as an example of the NDA’s commitment to “social justice, inclusion and development for all” under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

INDIA Bloc to Hold Key Strategy Meeting

Meanwhile, the Opposition’s INDIA bloc is scheduled to meet today at Mallikarjun Kharge’s office to discuss its stand on the vice-presidential election and consider potential candidates for the contest. The alliance has already indicated its interest in fielding a joint nominee, preferably a non-political figure, in order to maximise support among regional parties and avoid internal divisions, which had marred the alliance’s performance in the previous vice-presidential poll.

The meeting will likely assess the possibility of a consensus candidate, the strength of numbers in the electoral college, and the broader political messaging that will accompany the decision.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as the vice-presidential election draws closer, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s outreach to Sonia Gandhi, M.K. Stalin and Naveen Patnaik marks the beginning of a concerted effort by the BJP-led NDA to achieve consensus around its nominee CP Radhakrishnan. With NDA allies already voicing their support, all eyes are now on the INDIA bloc, which will meet today to finalise its strategy and possibly announce its own candidate.
Whether the election results in a unanimous endorsement of Radhakrishnan or a contested poll will depend on the Opposition’s decision and the dynamics of inter-party negotiations in the days leading up to the nomination deadline of August 21.
Either way, the outcome will carry significant political implications as both sides seek to demonstrate unity and influence ahead of the upcoming parliamentary session and future national polls.

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