New Delhi, August 18, 2025 The announcement of Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election has ignited a firestorm of criticism from the opposition INDIA bloc, with several leaders labeling him "another RSS man" and framing his nomination as part of a broader pattern of ideological capture of key institutions. The 68-year-old BJP veteran, known for his deep roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was nominated on August 17, prompting immediate backlash and strategic deliberations within the opposition. As the election is set for September 9, the INDIA alliance is scrambling to finalize its own candidate, amid internal divisions and calls for a unified front to "protect" constitutional positions.
NDA's Strategic Pick: CP Radhakrishnan's Profile and Nomination
The NDA's choice of CP Radhakrishnan, a former Tamil Nadu BJP chief and two-time Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore, was unveiled by BJP President JP Nadda following consultations with alliance partners and the RSS. Radhakrishnan, who has served as Governor of Jharkhand and currently Maharashtra, is portrayed by the BJP as a "balanced and experienced leader" with a strong administrative track record. Nadda emphasized efforts to build consensus with the opposition for a potentially unopposed election, highlighting Radhakrishnan's grassroots journey from RSS pracharak to governorship.
Born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan joined the RSS at a young age and rose through the ranks of the BJP, serving as state president from 2007 to 2010. His nomination is seen as a tactical move to appeal to southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu, where the BJP aims to expand its footprint. The Vice President's post fell vacant after Jagdeep Dhankhar's unexpected resignation on July 21, 2025, during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, officially attributed to health issues but speculated by opposition as politically motivated. The election timeline includes nomination filings by August 21, scrutiny on August 22, withdrawals by August 25, and polling on September 9, with results declared the same day.
INDIA Bloc's Criticism: 'Another RSS Man' and Institutional Concerns
The opposition's response was swift and pointed, with leaders accusing the NDA of installing RSS loyalists in high offices to undermine institutional independence. Congress MP Manickam Tagore set the tone on X, posting, "Another RSS man fielded as NDA candidate for vice president of India. After PM, Speaker now … Another Institution… Another battle to protect. Hope INDIA decides." Tagore's remark echoes longstanding opposition allegations that the BJP is eroding democratic institutions by appointing ideologically aligned figures, referencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's perceived RSS affiliations.
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav added a layer of intrigue by questioning Dhankhar's post-resignation status, stating, "The position of Vice President is vacant. There was a vice president here. Where is he? A new one will be elected. It is a good thing. What decision we will take, that is a different matter. We will sit and decide..." Yadav also hinted at potential talks with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, emphasizing, "...Rajnath Singh ji is a senior leader. He is from UP, he is the Defence Minister. If they talk, we will talk and if there is a need to talk, we will talk. But our political line will be clear when INDIA Alliance decides…"
Another SP leader, Virendra Singh, directly attributed the nomination to RSS influence, claiming, "This decision has not been taken by the NDA but by RSS... The constituent parties of the NDA must understand what is their importance in a BJP-led government."
Warnings and Advice: Lessons from Dhankhar's Fate
Several opposition figures issued veiled warnings to Radhakrishnan, urging him to avoid the pitfalls that allegedly befell Dhankhar. NCP-SCP leader Rohit Pawar advised, "Keep in mind what happened to Dhankhar," referring to Dhankhar's resignation amid rumors he accepted an opposition motion without consulting the Centre. Pawar suggested Dhankhar's exit was not solely health-related, noting his apparent fitness and unknown whereabouts post-resignation.
DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan echoed the "RSS man" sentiment, stating the party would not support Radhakrishnan due to his ideological ties and warning of a similar fate to Dhankhar. Elangovan emphasized that the INDIA bloc is discussing a joint candidate, signaling a contested election.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi offered a more measured response, acknowledging Radhakrishnan's experience as Governor and MP, but hoped for the restoration of the position's dignity, which she claimed was "weakened significantly" under Dhankhar. "As far as the INDIA alliance is concerned, the INDIA alliance will make a decision on this together," she said. Her colleague Sanjay Raut praised Radhakrishnan as a "very balanced personality" but deferred to the bloc's collective decision, noting distractions from other issues like electoral integrity.
Internal Divisions and Strategic Moves Within INDIA Bloc
The nomination has exposed fissures within the INDIA alliance. While DMK and Congress have slammed Radhakrishnan's RSS links, ally Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko endorsed him, expressing pride in a Tamil Nadu leader's nomination and urging cross-party support. This division highlights regional loyalties clashing with ideological stances.
DMK sources revealed the party has urged the bloc to field a candidate from Tamil Nadu to counter Radhakrishnan's regional appeal, aiming to consolidate southern votes. INDIA bloc leaders held a virtual meeting at 5:30 PM on August 18 and are expected to announce their candidate by August 19, following further discussions at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence.
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi confirmed preliminary talks, stating the bloc aims for a unified strategy.
Broader Implications: A Contested Election and Institutional Battle
The Vice Presidential election, typically ceremonial, has turned contentious amid the NDA's slim majority and opposition's recent gains in the Lok Sabha. With 543 Lok Sabha and 245 Rajya Sabha members voting (total 788 electors), the NDA holds an edge, but a united opposition could force a close contest.
Analysts view Radhakrishnan's nomination as the BJP's bid to strengthen ties with Tamil Nadu ahead of future polls, while the opposition's rhetoric underscores fears of "RSS-ification" of institutions. As deliberations continue, the election could test the INDIA bloc's cohesion and set the tone for upcoming parliamentary battles.
The coming days will reveal whether the opposition opts for confrontation or consensus, but the "another RSS man" jibe has already framed this as a ideological showdown.
