Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called upon all political parties, including the Opposition, to extend their backing to the unanimous election of NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan in view of his years of committed public service. The request was made at a meeting of ruling alliance MPs, where Radhakrishnan was formally welcomed.
The BJP veteran and current Governor of Maharashtra is expected to file his nomination papers on Wednesday (August 20, 2025).
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Prime Minister urged all parties, particularly the Opposition, to support Radhakrishnan so that he could be unopposed. Welcoming the leader among NDA MPs, Mr. Modi appreciated Radhakrishnan's humble, controversy-free life and his work in different political and administrative posts.
At the speech, the Prime Minister also spoke about the Indus Waters Treaty, condemning former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for having signed the treaty with Pakistan without taking Parliament or his Cabinet into confidence. In accordance with sources, Mr. Modi mentioned that Nehru gave precedence to his own reputation ahead of national interest, pointing out that rights over more than 80% of the waters were given to Pakistan.
After the recent terror attack on Pahalgam, the Modi government suspended the treaty. He also added that his government was dedicated to reversing the "sins of that time." Sources also mentioned that Nehru had subsequently told a colleague that he was confident that the agreement would resolve larger differences with Pakistan, but the result was otherwise.
The Prime Minister also referred to S&P Global Ratings' recent upgrade of India's long-term sovereign credit rating as an endorsement of India's strong economic fundamentals and as a development that would spur foreign investment.
Mr. Rijiju underscored that Radhakrishnan, 67, has been a life of integrity and without controversy and that his promotion to the office of Vice President would be "a matter of pride for the whole country.
With the BJP-led NDA having a clear majority in the Lok Sabha electoral college as well as in the members of Rajya Sabha, Radhakrishnan's election is virtually a certainty. But the opposition INDIA bloc has indicated it might put up its own candidate, making the poll possibly a contest.
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