The NDA has announced CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the Vice President post. Following this, the opposition has also started the process of deciding on a candidate. Congress and the INDIA alliance parties will hold meetings to choose a suitable candidate who can contest the election in a professional and impartial tone.
Mumbai: Discussions are underway in the INDIA alliance regarding the opposition candidate. The NDA has announced Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the Vice President post. Following this, Congress and its INDIA alliance partners will hold meetings from August 19 to decide on the opposition's candidate. Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other alliance leaders will suggest names, and after reaching a consensus, they will make the final announcement.
Congress's Strategy
Congress sources say that the party will not solely rely on its own leaders in this election. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will seek suggestions from the INDIA alliance partners, and if a neutral candidate is selected with a clean political and social background, Congress may support that name as well.
This stance of Congress indicates that the opposition will not only depend on numerical strength but will also prioritize the ideological strength and trustworthy image of the candidate. Due to NDA candidate Radhakrishnan's association with the RSS and BJP ideology, Congress wants the opposition not to leave the field vacant and to continue the ideological struggle.
Meeting with Rahul Gandhi and the Importance of the Alliance
According to sources, all constituent parties of the INDIA alliance will hold a meeting with Rahul Gandhi. This meeting will discuss the candidates suggested by the alliance and the names proposed by Congress. Rahul Gandhi will reach Delhi on the 19th and return to Bihar on the 21st. The final name of the candidate will be announced only after all parties reach a consensus.
Samajwadi Party's Stance
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav said that no final decision has been taken yet. He clarified that the candidate will be selected after the Vice President post becomes vacant, and all parties will sit together and make a decision. He rejected any predetermined options, stating that the process will be thoroughly deliberate.
Statements by Congress Leaders
Congress MP Imran Masood said that this is a matter for the BJP, and the opposition will select its candidate internally. Meanwhile, MP Manickam Tagore said that the INDIA alliance leaders will meet and take a joint decision for the selection of the candidate.
MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the INDIA alliance leaders are discussing this issue and it is expected that all parties will announce the name of the candidate with consensus soon. He also raised the issue of Radhakrishnan's association with the RSS and BJP, which could prove challenging for the opposition.
Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Stance
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that his party is not currently supporting the NDA candidate. He mentioned Radhakrishnan's association with the BJP in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, saying that he is not a balanced option for the party. Raut also said that the INDIA bloc will hold a meeting to decide on its strategy and take a decision on its stance in the election.
TMC's Position
According to sources, TMC wants the opposition to have a b candidate who will contest against NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan. TMC believes that the active participation of the opposition in the Vice President election is necessary for democracy and ideological balance.
Constitutional and Political Significance of the Vice President Post
The post of Vice President is constitutionally significant. The Vice President serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and discharges the constitutional duties of the President in their absence. From a political perspective, this post holds strategic importance for the NDA and other major parties, including Congress.
Analysts say that the opposition's strategy and consensus can influence the outcome of this election. If the alliance partners agree on a common candidate, the opposition's influence in the election could increase.
