Rajnath Singh spoke to Stalin over Vice-President candidate before BJP fielding C.P. Radhakrishnan

Union Defence Minister and senior BJP chief Rajnath Singh has just lately spoken to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.Ok. Stalin over the telephone in search of to push for a standard candidate for the publish of Vice-President, it’s reliably learnt. The 2 leaders spoke earlier than the BJP formally fielded Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, who hails from the influential Kongu Vellala Gounder neighborhood in western Tamil Nadu, as its candidate for the publish. Mr. Stalin didn’t commit something.

By the way, Mr. Radhakrishnan had final month known as on Mr. Stalin following the latter’s temporary hospitalisation.

“It (Mr. Singh’s outreach) occurred a number of days in the past and earlier than the BJP introduced Mr. Radhakrishnan’s candidature. The Chief Minister, nevertheless, didn’t make any dedication,” an knowledgeable supply within the DMK informed The Hindu on Monday (August 18, 2025).

For the DMK, this could possibly be a troublesome name as opposing a candidate from Tamil Nadu will not be seen as a prudent transfer forward of subsequent yr’s Meeting elections. On the similar time, the social gathering can not politically again a BJP candidate. The DMK is in alliance with the Congress, Left events and some others.

Up to now, besides the Communists, different events in Tamil Nadu had supported APJ Abdul Kalam’s candidature for the publish of President, despite the fact that he was a BJP candidate. At the moment, the DMK was within the NDA.

No assist from CPI(M)

In the meantime, CPI(M) basic secretary M.A. Child informed The Hindu his social gathering wouldn’t assist Mr. Radhakrishnan.

Tamil Nadu Congress leaders are additionally in contact with the social gathering’s excessive command in New Delhi. “They (management) informed us a choice will likely be taken in a few days,” mentioned a Congress chief.