New Delhi: Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, once hailed as 'Ajatshatru' (without enemies) in Tamil Nadu politics, enjoyed cordial relations with both DMK and AIADMK) even while sporting his strong RSS roots, embarks on his vice-presidential journey flaunting the ' cooperative federalism' card, insisting that the strength of a strong democracy lies in harmonious Centre-state relations.
In a letter to MPs ahead of the vice-presidential election, Radhakrishnan, known as the 'Vajpayee of Coimbatore', highlighted his Tamil roots and his admiration for stalwarts from his state, including former Congress president and chief minister of erstwhile Madras presidency, K Kamaraj. He mentioned several Congress leaders and former presidents, including Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, in his letter highlighting a spectrum of influencers who he admired. But his future vision is steeped in RSS' ideological moorings as he hailed its core planks-- abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A -- as steps taken to lay the foundation for a strong and united India. At the same time, he insisted that he is "committed to strengthening cooperative federalism." Radhakrishnan who joined Jana Sangh at the age of 17, worked for the RSS in Tamil Nadu. He won from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999 and lost in 2004, 2009 and 2014.
In 1998, he won from Coimbatore on BJP's ticket in alliance with AIADMK and enjoyed good relations with party stalwart, the late J Jayalalithaa. In 1999, he won from the same seat when BJP was in alliance with DMK.
With the President from the East, the PM representing the North and West and now the VP elect from the south, the political messaging of the ruling alliance is quite clear. After the Jagdeep Dhankar experiment, the BJP has picked its own ideologically committed leader who would use his political maturity in running the House without becoming too combative. The vice-president elect, who is pursuing a doctorate on the downfall of communism and had carried out a 19,000-km yatra in Tamil Nadu during his BJP days to press for Uniform Civil Code. He highlighted social justice as some of his future priorities.
Radhakrishnan, an OBC leader from the influential Gounder community of Tamil Nadu, promised to ensure that farmers' concerns are heard and resolved through discussions and policies.
With this elevation from his gubernatorial role in Maharashtra, this all-weather statesman's term as Rajya Sabha chairperson would be keenly watched.
In a letter to MPs ahead of the vice-presidential election, Radhakrishnan, known as the 'Vajpayee of Coimbatore', highlighted his Tamil roots and his admiration for stalwarts from his state, including former Congress president and chief minister of erstwhile Madras presidency, K Kamaraj. He mentioned several Congress leaders and former presidents, including Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, in his letter highlighting a spectrum of influencers who he admired. But his future vision is steeped in RSS' ideological moorings as he hailed its core planks-- abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A -- as steps taken to lay the foundation for a strong and united India. At the same time, he insisted that he is "committed to strengthening cooperative federalism." Radhakrishnan who joined Jana Sangh at the age of 17, worked for the RSS in Tamil Nadu. He won from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999 and lost in 2004, 2009 and 2014.
In 1998, he won from Coimbatore on BJP's ticket in alliance with AIADMK and enjoyed good relations with party stalwart, the late J Jayalalithaa. In 1999, he won from the same seat when BJP was in alliance with DMK.
With the President from the East, the PM representing the North and West and now the VP elect from the south, the political messaging of the ruling alliance is quite clear. After the Jagdeep Dhankar experiment, the BJP has picked its own ideologically committed leader who would use his political maturity in running the House without becoming too combative. The vice-president elect, who is pursuing a doctorate on the downfall of communism and had carried out a 19,000-km yatra in Tamil Nadu during his BJP days to press for Uniform Civil Code. He highlighted social justice as some of his future priorities.
Radhakrishnan, an OBC leader from the influential Gounder community of Tamil Nadu, promised to ensure that farmers' concerns are heard and resolved through discussions and policies.
With this elevation from his gubernatorial role in Maharashtra, this all-weather statesman's term as Rajya Sabha chairperson would be keenly watched.
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