Chennai: With the BJP-led NDA fielding Tamil Nadu-born C.P. Radhakrishnan as its vice-presidential nominee, the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu finds itself in a political bind, not desirous to oppose him, lest they be accused of being anti-Tamil by the AIADMK-led NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu.

Scrambling to counter the BJP’s Tamil pitch forward of the 2026 meeting elections in Tamil Nadu, the DMK has steered the Congress-led INDIA bloc alliance contemplate placing up a South Indian candidate—ideally a Tamil Nadu-based particular person—for the vice-presidential race to counter the NDA narrative.

“Though we would not have an issue in supporting a Tamil candidate from the Opposition camp, it could go towards the anti-BJP picture that has been constructed within the state all these years. If we go towards the BJP candidate and help a candidate from a special state from the INDIA bloc, it could harm us again in Tamil Nadu. Therefore, we now have steered a candidate from Tamil Nadu,” a extremely positioned supply within the DMK instructed ThePrint.

The supply additionally added that they’ve really helpful Congress MP Manickam Tagore (from Virudhunagar onstituency) and DMK Deputy common secretary and Rajya Sabha Trichy Siva because the INDIA bloc’s vice-president candidate.

“They aren’t simply Tamilian, in addition they have a presence in different southern states. It will be a safer guess for us,” the supply in DMK instructed ThePrint, including that the suggestion was made retaining in thoughts the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala.

In the meantime, just a few of the INDIA bloc companions have steered nominating an individual from a non-political background, DMK has additionally steered scientist Myilswamy Annadurai for the place.

Talking to ThePrint, DMK spokesperson and former MP T.Ok.S. Elangovan stated the celebration has determined to help the INDIA bloc candidate. “On the nationwide degree, we now have to take selections in accordance with the Congress’ suggestion. So, we now have instructed them that we’ll help the INDIA bloc alliance candidate,” he instructed ThePrint.

When requested about it, Congress leaders had been tight-lipped and stated that they might know the INDIA bloc determination after a gathering within the night with Congress leaders Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. 

Even earlier than the INDIA bloc alliance announce their stand as the first opposition celebration in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK has raised its pitch in favour of NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan, at the moment governor of Maharashtra. Talking to the reporters in Tiruvannamalai district on Monday, AIADMK common secretary Edappadi Ok. Palaniswami not directly requested DMK MPs to help the NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan.

“NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan, who’s a Tamilian, could be the apt individual for the place. Since he’s a Tamilian, reducing throughout the celebration strains, all of the MPs from Tamil Nadu ought to help his candidature and make him the Vice-President of India and make all Tamilians pleased with it,” Edappadi Ok. Palaniswami instructed the reporters.

NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan, a local of Coimbatore district, joined the RSS on the age of 16 and labored within the Bharatiya Jana Sangh. He efficiently contested the 1998 Lok Sabha election when the BJP was in alliance with the AIADMK after which within the 1999 Lok Sabha election, when the BJP was in alliance with the DMK. He has served because the president of BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit between Might 2003 and September 2006. He additionally served as Chairman of the All India Coir Board beneath the Ministry of MSME between 2016 and 2020.

Then again, Manickam Tagore, a local of Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu, joined the Congress in 1994, turning into the Virudhunagar district secretary of NSUI. He later turned the All India common secretary of NSUI after which Vice President of NSUI by 1999.

He was first elected to Lok Sabha in 2009. Since 2019, he has represented Virudhunagar within the Lok Sabha. He has additionally held positions together with AICC Secretary in-charge of Karnataka between 2017 and 2020, AICC in-charge for Telangana between 2020 and 2023, and AICC in-charge for Andhra Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 2023. At the moment, he serves because the Congress Social gathering’s whip within the Lok Sabha.

The opposite candidate, Tiruchi N. Siva, is a five-time MP within the Rajya Sabha and is thought for his articulate presence. A lawyer by coaching, he joined politics via DMK’s pupil and youth wing. He held a number of positions within the celebration, together with propaganda secretary. He was honoured with the Greatest Parliamentarian award in 2019 and he heads the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Business.

(Edited by Viny Mishra)

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