Opposition divided over NDA’s choice of CP Radhakrishnan as Vice President candidate

A row was triggered after NDA picked CP Radhakrishnan as their Vice President candidate, causing disagreements among opposition parties.

The Congress has strongly criticized the pick, saying yet another person with RSS links is being chosen for a top post.

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A senior Congress leader said, “Another RSS man has been chosen as the candidate for Vice President after the PM Speaker… Hope India decides.”

On the other hand, the Sena UBT has welcomed the decision.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday lauded NDA’s pick for Vice Presidential candidate CP Radhakrishnan.

Raut said that Radhakrishnan as a “very good personality”, while calling him “non-controversial”. “He has a lot of experience. I extend best wishes to him,” Raut told ANI.

 Janata Dal (united) president Nitish Kumar on Monday supported National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) vice-presidential candidate, CP Radhakrishnan.

In a post on X, Nitish Kumar said, “The decision to nominate Shri CP Radhakrishnan ji, the governor of Maharashtra, as the NDA’s candidate for Vice President is welcomed. JDU will support Shri CP Radhakrishnan ji. Best wishes to him.”

CP Radhakrishnan has spent around 40 years working with the RSS and other groups like Jan Sangh and the BJP. The Vice President election is set for September 9, and the reactions show the political tensions around it.

Radhakrishnan has had links with the RSS and Jan Sangh since he was 17 years old.

Earlier on Sunday, Bharatiya Janata party announced Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan as National Democratic Alliance’s candidate for the upcoming Vice-President election, scheduled for September 9.

“We want next Vice-President to be elected unanimously, we have reached out to opposition leaders,” Union Minister JP Nadda said as he announced Radhakrishnan’s name. “CP Radhakrishnan considered a statesman, commands respect in all sections of society in Tamil Nadu,” he added.

#WATCH | Delhi: Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan will be the NDA’s candidate for the Vice Presidential election, says BJP national president and Union Minister JP Nadda pic.x.com/VzSJVjoF6p

— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2025

Radhakrishnan’ s name was zeroed-in in BJP’s Parliamentary Board meeting at the party headquarters.

After the announcement, PM Modi showered praise on Radhakrishnan saying he would be an “inspiring Vice-President.”

In his long years in public life, Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji has distinguished himself with his dedication, humility and intellect. During the various positions he has held, he has always focused on community service and empowering the marginalised. He has done extensive work at… pic.x.com/WrbKl4LB9S

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2025

“In his long years in public life, Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji has distinguished himself with his dedication, humility and intellect. During the various positions he has held, he has always focused on community service and empowering the marginalised. He has done extensive work at the grassroots in Tamil Nadu. I am glad that the NDA family has decided to nominate him as the Vice Presidential candidate of our alliance,” PM Modi wrote on X.