Rajnath Singh dials Stalin seeking support for NDA’s VP nominee C P Radhakrishnan
Defence minister Rajnath Singh is steering the campaign in support of NDA nominee C.P. Radhakrishnan.
Rajnath’s first order of business was dialling Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin in the hope of not only shoring up the NDA’s adequate numbers in the electoral college comprising members of both houses of Parliament, including the nominated ones, but also driving a wedge in the Opposition camp by playing the Tamil card.
By all indications, Stalin did not commit to supporting Maharashtra governor Radhakrishnan.
The INDIA bloc parties had two rounds of discussion on the prospective candidate and several names, including that of DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva, were considered.
The DMK is understood to have suggested the name of former Isro director Mylswamy Annadurai, who a year ago had said in an interview: “I am a blend of the Bhagavad Gita and Periyar’s teachings.”
While neutralising the BJP’s effort to corner the DMK on the Tamil plank is a consideration, another view is to field someone from Bihar since the Assembly elections are around the corner.
After a preliminary round of discussions in the morning, the INDIA leaders went into a huddle at Rajya Sabha leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in the evening for another brainstorming session.
Later, it was announced that Opposition leaders will meet at Kharge’s residence on Tuesday.