Governor of Maharashtra Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan has been nominated by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as its Vice-Presidential candidate. People familiar with the decision said there was a detailed discussion with RSS leaders and alliance partners before finalizing Radhakrishnan’s name.
Non-controversial, soft-spoken VP candidate
Radhakrishnan, 68, a BJP leader with strong RSS roots, has a clean, non-controversial, and soft-spoken image. He is the only BJP leader to be elected twice to the Lok Sabha, in 1998 and 1999. He has been serving as the Governor of Maharashtra since July 31, 2024.
Born and raised in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, he belongs to the Gounder-Kongu Vellalar community (OBC). A table tennis player and long-distance runner, Radhakrishnan dedicated decades to the RSS as a swayamsevak. In 1974, he rose to the state executive committee of the then Bharatiya Jana Sangh. Even then, he was chosen for his ability to manage party operations without conflict or controversy. In 2004, he went on to become the head of the state unit.
Party leaders welcome the decision
On Sunday evening, Radhakrishnan was informed of his candidature, after which he visited the Siddhivinayak temple to offer prayers. His nomination was welcomed by party leaders, who called it an excellent choice because of his “pragmatic, straightforward, and clean image.”
Radhakrishnan hailed as ‘Vajpayee of Coimbatore’
In 2023, when Radhakrishnan became governor, it was already seen as an attempt to create a new political order within the state unit. He is widely regarded as someone with friendly ties across the political spectrum and was even hailed as the “Vajpayee of Coimbatore.” His nomination is seen as a masterstroke, with the party aiming to strengthen its outreach in the southern region, particularly Tamil Nadu, where elections are due in 2026.
With the NDA’s strength in the Rajya Sabha at 132 out of 240 members, his victory is seen as a comfortable win.