Mumbai: While more than a dozen BJP politicians were in the zone of consideration for vice president, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose Maharashtra governor C P Radhakrishnan for the post. A top BJP politician felt that Modi threw his weight behind Radhakrishnan owing to his clean image and cordial relations with all politicians across political parties. It appears that following his nomination, BJP will be able to bridge the gap with the DMK. Ever since he took up the gubernatorial assignment in Maharashtra, Radhakrishanan’s visit to Tamil Nadu and Kerala have suddenly increased. “Modi was keen to promote a man from the South, Radhakrishnan was proper choice for the post,” a politician said.Radhakrishnan is the second governor to be nominated vice president. Before him, in 1987, Shankar Dayal Sharma was nominated vice president. In 2002, governor P C Alexander’s candidature was finalised for the post of president, but his name was dropped at the last moment, following the nomination of Abdul Kalam for the prestigious post.A week after he took over the reins of Raj Bhavan on July 31, 2024, Radhakrishnan travelled across the state. He interacted with elected representatives of the people, officials, business leaders and met a cross-section of society. As chancellor of universities, he was instrumental in enhancing the quality of education and living conditions of the tribals.It appears that he entertained maximum delegations of the opposition parties, whether on the law and order situation in the state, financial scams or issues raised in the legislature. Radhakrishnan gave them a patient hearing and ensured that specific complaints received by him are submitted to the competent authority for appropriate action.Radhakrishnan also approved the nominations to the legislative council, which had been pending for long.It was for the first time that the governor had cordial relations with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis as well as DCPs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar and the entire cabinet.Fadnavis said: “Throughout his tenure as MP and governor in various states, Radhakrishnan has garnered extensive expertise in a wide range of legislative and constitutional matters. His nomination as the VP candidate fills us all as Maharashtrians, with immense pride.”Born in 1957 in Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu, he secured a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Starting as an RSS activist, Radhakrishnan became the state executive committee member of the Bhartiya Janasangh in 1974.
