NEW DELHI, Aug 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged all political parties, including the Opposition, to support the unanimous election of National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) Vice Presidential candidate C P Radhakrishnan, describing him as a leader who has devoted his life to public service.
At a meeting of NDA MPs in New Delhi, Radhakrishnan was felicitated by the top leadership of the alliance, including Prime Minister Modi and senior BJP allies. The 67-year-old leader, currently serving as the Governor of Maharashtra, is expected to file his nomination papers on Wednesday.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Prime Minister introduced Radhakrishnan to MPs and highlighted his long political journey, marked by simplicity and an unblemished record. Rijiju added that Modi expressed confidence that his election would be a matter of pride for the entire country.
During his address, Modi also took aim at former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru over the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, alleging that the pact was signed without the approval of Parliament or the Cabinet. He said Nehru’s decision allowed Pakistan to utilise over 80 per cent of the river waters, which, according to Modi, compromised national interests. The Prime Minister asserted that his government has put the treaty in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack, stressing that his administration has been working to correct the “sins of that era.”
Modi further referred to the recent upgrade of India’s sovereign credit rating by S&P Global Ratings, stating that it reflects the country’s strong economic fundamentals and will help attract greater investment.
With the BJP-led NDA holding a clear majority in the electoral college comprising members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Radhakrishnan’s election is virtually assured. However, the Opposition INDIA bloc has indicated that it may field its own candidate, paving the way for a possible contest.
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