PM Modi appeals for unanimous election of CP Radhakrishnan as Vice President

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday appealed to all political parties to support the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) Vice Presidential nominee, CP Radhakrishnan, for a unanimous election. The Maharashtra Governor and senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu was felicitated at the NDA parliamentary party meeting by Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda, and other alliance leaders.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Modi introduced Radhakrishnan to NDA MPs, highlighting his long public career, including his service as a Member of Parliament and Governor of different states. Rijiju described him as a leader who has “lived a very simple life” and noted that Modi urged all Members of Parliament, including those from Opposition parties, to support his unanimous election to the post of Vice President.

Rijiju added that Rajnath Singh has been in talks with MPs across party lines to secure broad support. “There is no controversy in his life, no corruption, no stain, he has lived a very simple life and has only worked for society and the country,” Rijiju said, adding that electing such a person would be “very useful for our democracy, for our country and also in running the Rajya Sabha.”

Radhakrishnan, 67, is expected to file his nomination on Wednesday. With the BJP-led NDA holding a comfortable majority in the electoral college made up of MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, his election is considered assured. However, the Opposition alliance INDIA has indicated it will also field a candidate, with DMK leader Tiruchi Siva emerging as a possible nominee.

During the meeting, Modi also addressed other issues, including the Indus Waters Treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, criticising the terms under which Pakistan was given control over a major share of river waters. He noted that his government has suspended the treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack. Modi also referred to the recent upgrade of India’s sovereign credit rating by S&P Global Ratings, saying it reflects confidence in the Indian economy and will attract further investment.