New Delhi, 19 August — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday appealed for the unanimous election of C.P. Radhakrishnan, the ruling National Democratic Alliance’s candidate for Vice-President, urging parties to rise above partisan lines for the country’s second-highest constitutional office.
The Prime Minister introduced Radhakrishnan at a meeting of the NDA Parliamentary Party held in the Parliament House complex, where floor leaders of alliance partners, BJP MPs and other constituent members were present. Radhakrishnan, currently the Governor of Maharashtra, was felicitated at the meeting, with leaders pledging their full support.
“C.P. Radhakrishnan’s life has been dedicated to social service. I appeal to leaders and members of all parties to unanimously elect the 15th Vice-President of India,” Modi said.
Senior NDA ministers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, and BJP president J.P. Nadda, attended the meeting. Singh is reaching out to Opposition parties to build consensus around Radhakrishnan’s candidature.
The nomination will be filed on Wednesday. The electoral college for the Vice-Presidential election, comprising sitting MPs of both Houses, is already tilted in favour of the ruling coalition, giving Radhakrishnan a strong edge. His chances brightened further after the YSR Congress Party, a non-aligned outfit, pledged support to the NDA nominee.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said Radhakrishnan was warmly welcomed at the Parliamentary Party meeting. “He is a very good name for the post of Vice-President. Everyone has accepted this. He is non-controversial, has never faced corruption charges, and has lived a simple life devoted to society and the country,” Rijiju said.
He added that a unanimous election would strengthen democracy and help in the smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha. “If such a person becomes Vice-President, it will be a matter of great happiness for the country,” Rijiju noted.
