Chennai: Though DMK’s efforts to push for a Tamilian as INDIA bloc’s vice-presidential candidate failed, the ruling DMK and its allies in Tamil Nadu say that they won’t give in to  the BJP’s “id politics” and can again the INDIA bloc candidate.

Talking to ThePrint on Tuesday, DMK spokesperson T.Okay.S. Elangovan mentioned the occasion wouldn’t assist NDA candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan simply because he’s a Tamilian.

After a number of discussions, on Tuesday afternoon, INDIA bloc alliance introduced Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, former Supreme Courtroom choose and a local of Telangana, because the vice-presidential candidate of the INDIA bloc alliance.

Elangovan mentioned they might assist Justice B. Sudershan Reddy’s candidature for Vice-President.

“BJP is thought for such id politics. They made a Dalit and a Tribal the President of the nation, however did they do something for these oppressed communities? Equally, saying a Tamilian as a vice-presidential candidate won’t assist Tamils in any means,” Elangovan instructed ThePrint.

The CPI(M) in Tamil Nadu has additionally echoed the views of the ruling DMK. “When the BJP introduced a Dalit and a Tribal candidate for the President, solely their caste id was projected and highlighted throughout the platforms. However, they did little for the group. Even the Structure doesn’t enable them to operate independently. Therefore, there isn’t a level in supporting C.P. Radhakrishnan, since he may even be taking part in the tunes of the RSS and BJP,” CPI(M) state secretary P. Shanmugam instructed ThePrint.

After the BJP-led NDA introduced C.P. Radhakrishnan, a local of Coimbatore from Tamil Nadu because the vice-president candidate, the ruling DMK had discovered itself in a political bind and was pushing for a Tamil candidate on the INDIA bloc alliance companions assembly held Monday night.

In accordance with sources, the occasion had steered DMK’s Rajya Sabha member Trichy Siva, whereas Congress’ Manickam Tagore’s identify was additionally on the playing cards. On the assembly, in accordance with sources, when RJD and TMC careworn for a candidate from a non-political background, the DMK steered scientist Myilswamy Annadurai.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Okay. Selvaperunthagai slammed the BJP for holding funds for Tamil Nadu whereas taking part in a “Tamil card”.

“BJP is taking part in the Tamil card solely as a result of elections are nearing they usually don’t have anything a lot to say concerning the welfare works they’ve carried out for Tamil Nadu. They’ve withheld our schooling funds, they haven’t launched Keezhadi excavation report and nonetheless painting as if they’re involved about Tamils,” Selvaperunthagai instructed ThePrint.

This isn’t the primary time the DMK goes in opposition to a Tamil candidate nominated by the alternative camp. In 1987, when DMK was not in alliance with the Congress, R. Venkataraman was nominated because the candidate for the presidential polls. Nonetheless, DMK didn’t assist his candidature.

Then chief minister and AIADMK chief M.G. Ramachandran had criticised the DMK for not supporting a Tamilian within the presidential election. Responding to it, the then DMK president and former chief minister M. Karunanidhi had mentioned it will be worthwhile to see what the particular person had carried out for Tamils, as an alternative of whether or not he was a Tamilian or not.

(Edited by Viny Mishra)

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