Opposition’s VP Choice: Annadurai, Tushar Gandhi, or Siva?
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge is authorized to pick from a shortlist that includes an ISRO scientist, Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson, and a DMK MP.
- The INDIA bloc has authorized Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to select the Vice Presidential candidate.
- A shortlist includes an ISRO scientist, a DMK MP, and Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson.
- The Opposition candidate will face NDA’s nominee, C.P. Radhakrishnan, on September 9.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18th Aug: The INDIA bloc has authorized Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to take a final decision on the Opposition’s candidate for the post of Vice-President. This candidate will go head-to-head with the NDA’s nominee, C.P. Radhakrishnan, the Governor of Maharashtra, in the election scheduled for September 9.
Sources indicate that several names have been shortlisted. The list includes M. Annadurai, a former ISRO scientist and Padma Shri awardee; Tushar Gandhi, author and great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi; and Tiruchi Siva, a Rajya Sabha MP from the DMK. The final decision is expected to be announced post-noon tomorrow.
The potential nomination of Mylswami Annadurai could secure the support of Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress, as the party has insisted on a candidate without a political background. Choosing Tiruchi Siva could help the Opposition navigate regional politics and potentially split the south votes. Tushar Gandhi had previously joined Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in November 2022.
Despite the Opposition’s plans to field a candidate to showcase democratic principles and unity, the election appears to be tilted in favor of the NDA’s C.P. Radhakrishnan. With a combined strength of 422 members in both Houses of Parliament against a majority mark of 394, the NDA has a clear numerical advantage. The BJP’s allies, including Jaganmohan Reddy’s YSR Congress and AIADMK, have already pledged their support.
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