NEW DELHI: The opposition coalition known as the INDIA bloc is set to announce its candidate for the upcoming vice-presidential election on Tuesday. This decision comes after a meeting on Monday, where various names were discussed, including a senior scientist from Tamil Nadu and a notable Dalit intellectual.
During this meeting, sources indicated that former ISRO scientist Mylswamy Annadurai’s name was proposed by the DMK. Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, has also emerged as a possible candidate, alongside a well-regarded Dalit intellectual with significant government experience, which has raised speculation about figures like former Speaker Meira Kumar and former Planning Commission chairman Bhalchandra Mungekar.
Additional voices in the talk suggest the possibility of a prominent name from the former Andhra Pradesh also being in the running.
Annadurai’s nomination is particularly notable given the BJP-led NDA’s recent announcement of CP Radhakrishnan, a governor from Maharashtra with roots in Tamil Nadu, as their candidate. This strategy from the opposition appears to be an attempt to undermine the ruling party’s influence in the southern state by emphasizing a Tamil candidate from their ranks. Moreover, selecting a scientist could evoke memories of the election of the late APJ Abdul Kalam, known as the “missile man,” who was also a Tamil.
Sources revealed that the TMC has been advocating for a Dalit candidate. The INDIA bloc convened at the residence of Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss potential nominees. They plan to meet again on Tuesday afternoon before making their final announcement. Reports say Kharge was actively reaching out to coalition partners late in the evening to build a consensus.
Despite an expected outcome in the vice-presidential election, the INDIA bloc’s initial focus on “voter fraud” issues and Rahul Gandhi’s campaign in Bihar has made navigating consensus a challenge. Some allies were hesitant about pushing for a competitive election while still committing to a unified front. Discussions highlighted that the upcoming election should not be viewed solely through a Tamil Nadu lens but also in relation to Radhakrishnan’s ties to the RSS.
The hesitation among certain parties regarding a contest may stem from concerns about potential cross-voting, particularly for parties like Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), which could be at risk of losing votes from their base. Any defection from the RJD could also create negative headlines ahead of the Bihar polls, according to insiders.
