Rajnath Singh Dials Sonia Gandhi, MK Stalin, Naveen Patnaik To Build Consensus on Radhakrishnan’s Name For VP

The Bharatiya Janata Party has turned to one of its most seasoned troubleshooters, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, to manage the delicate task of securing support for the NDA's Vice Presidential candidate, CP Radhakrishnan. Singh, known for his cross-party rapport, has been put in charge of outreach and consensus building, while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju takes on the role of election agent.

The strategy is clear: avoid a contested election. Singh has already picked up the phone to call some of the Opposition's biggest names - from Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi, to DMK's MK Stalin and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik. More conversations are expected in the days ahead.

The announcement of Radhakrishnan's candidature was made by BJP president JP Nadda after the party's parliamentary board meeting. Nadda underlined that the NDA wants to take everyone along. "We will talk to the Opposition as well... our aim is an unopposed election," he said, signaling a softer, consensus-driven approach.

The message has resonated within the alliance. TDP's Chandrababu Naidu hailed Radhakrishnan as a "respected statesman" while LJP (Ramvilas) chief Chirag Paswan framed the nomination as proof of the NDA's commitment to social justice and inclusivity.

On the other side, the INDIA bloc is preparing its strategy. Leaders are expected to gather at Kharge's residence today to discuss whether to field a joint candidate or let the NDA's choice pass uncontested.

The vice-presidential race was triggered by Jagdeep Dhankhar's unexpected resignation last month. With the election slated for September 9 and the nomination deadline closing on August 21, political negotiations are now moving at full throttle.

For the BJP, the attempt to secure an unopposed contest is as much about showcasing strength as it is about projecting inclusivity - a balancing act that Rajnath Singh, with his reputation as a consensus-builder, has once again been entrusted to perform.