The NDA has named CP Radhakrishnan, a Tamil leader with an RSS background, as its candidate for the Vice President of India. With its clear majority in Parliament, Radhakrishnan has a strong chance of being elected.
However, the INDIA bloc has decided not to allow a unanimous election. It has fielded former Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy from Telangana as its candidate. His name has now sparked a political storm in the Telugu states.
Justice Sudarshan Reddy, who hails from Madgul in Ranga Reddy district, served as a Supreme Court judge between 2005 and 2011. He is widely respected for his pro-people judgments and clean image.
For the TDP, this poses a challenge. As an NDA partner, the party has already extended support to Radhakrishnan. Yet Sudarshan Reddy’s candidature raises questions of Telugu pride, putting Chandrababu Naidu in a difficult spot. The situation is reminiscent of the past, when the TDP did not oppose PV Narasimha Rao in Nandyal, citing Telugu identity.
The YSR Congress faces a similar dilemma. Jagan Mohan Reddy has already backed the NDA candidate but may face criticism for ignoring Sudarshan Reddy, a respected Telugu figure. However, since the YSR Congress has little stake in Telangana, Jagan may escape the heat.
Revanth Reddy, meanwhile, finds himself in the most comfortable position. If BRS and Telangana BJP fail to support the INDIA bloc’s nominee, it will help him politically, allowing him to corner rivals in Telangana.
The Vice President election is scheduled for September 9, with August 21 being the last date to file nominations. Until then, the tug-of-war in Telugu politics is expected to intensify.
