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Sources said it will be a consensus candidate while the Congress has claimed that the INDIA bloc will come up with a name that will lead to cross-voting from the BJP
Opposition leaders said they are meeting at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence to decide on their vice president nominee. (Image: PTI)
Leaders of the INDIA bloc parties are meeting on Monday to decide on the opposition’s vice president candidate.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has announced Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu as its nominee for the vice-presidential election, which is scheduled to be held on September 9.
There is much speculation that the INDIA bloc will also put forward a south Indian face to counter the NDA nominee. The buzz is that the DMK is pushing for Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi N Siva to be considered as a potential candidate, but according to sources the opposition parties have not even discussed a name.
The sources said everyone is putting forward names but it will be a consensus candidate in the end. The Congress has claimed that it will come out with a name that will lead to cross-voting from the BJP, they said.
Opposition leaders said they are meeting at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence to decide on their vice president nominee. They said the final name will be conveyed by evening or on Tuesday (August 19).
“There is a meeting at 5.30 pm today. Consultations are going on. We will tell you as soon as something is decided…different parties are making different suggestions…Congress is consulting everyone. Whatever decision is made, it will be conveyed to you by the evening or tomorrow…” Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain told news agency ANI.
Hussain said the opposition parties are speaking among themselves and will convey whatever is decided.
On speculation that Siva is to be named the opposition’s candidate, CPI(M) MP John Brittas said: “The BJP was craving to have a person who is part of the RSS. So, they have found an ‘able candidate’…INDIA bloc parties will discuss, and we are meeting in the evening to talk about the strategy we need to adopt for the vice-presidential election. Anybody can be, he (Tiruchi Siva) is a competent person. There are so many people there. We will find a person.”
Siva, meanwhile, said he does not have an idea about the buzz around his name. “I have no idea. Only leaders will decide that…I am not the person to tell that. My leaders are discussing…”
RAJNATH SINGH IN OUTREACH MODE, YSRCP TO SUPPORT NDA
Sources said late on Sunday (August 17), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Kharge to seek support for CP Radhakrishnan.
The election will be held under the supervision of Rajnath Singh on behalf of the NDA while Union minister Kiren Rijiju has been made the election agent, the sources said.
The YSR Congress Party, meanwhile, has decided to support Radhakrishnan. It has 11 MPs – four in the Lok Sabha and seven in the Rajya Sabha – numbers that will give a boost to the ruling side.
Lok Sabha MP Maddila Gurumoorthy of the YSR Congress told PTI that his party will back the NDA’s candidature in the elections, amid indications that the opposition will force a contest by naming its own candidate.
Sources further said Rajnath Singh had spoken to YSR Congress supremo and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, seeking the party’s support.
The NDA enjoys a comfortable majority in the electoral college, which comprises members of both Houses of Parliament making Radhakrishnan’s election all but a certainty.
(With inputs from Pallavi Ghosh and agencies)
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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