BJP Picks Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as NDA Vice Presidential Candidate After Dhankhar Resigns

New Delhi (India) August 18: The National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) nominee for vice president is Maharashtra Governor and BJP leader CP Radhakrishnan. The Bharatiya Janata Party makes this announcement on Sunday.

BJP Board decides candidate

The decision was made at the meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Board. It was convened to determine the party's nominee for vice president. Radhakrishnan will take over as vice president if elected. He will replace Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned last month due to health concerns.

The Parliamentary Board consists of Party President JP Nadda, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Sarbanand Sonowal, former Karnataka chief minister BS Yedyurappa, BL Santhosh, K Laxman, Sudha Yadav, Iqbal Singh Lalpura and Satyanarayan Jatiya.

PM Modi praises Radhakrishnan’s work

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciates CP Radhakrishnan on social media platform X. He posts, “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.”

Radhakrishnan thanks Prime Minister Modi

CP Radhakrishnan thanks PM Modi for nominating him as a Vice-Presidential candidate. He posts, “My heartfelt thanks to our beloved People’s leader our most respected Honourable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi Ji for nominating me as the NDA Vice Presidential candidate and giving me the opportunity to serve the Nation.”

Opposition may back if all agree

JP Nadda tells the media that "extensive discussions with the NDA partners" led to the nomination of Radhakrishnan. He says that top BJP officials had also contacted opposition parties to encourage them to support the NDA's candidate.

Nadda says, “The opposition leaders conveyed to us that their decision to support the nominee will depend on the candidate. We are hopeful that the VP will be elected by consensus.”

Radhakrishnan has occupied a number of important roles during his political career. On July 31, 2024, he became the Governor of Maharashtra. His last tenure as Jharkhand's governor lasted from February 18, 2023 to July 30, 2024. He also serves as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry from March to August 2024 and the Governor of Telangana from March to July 2024.