Rajnath Singh spoke to Stalin over Vice-President candidate before BJP fielding C.P. Radhakrishnan

Union Defence Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh has recently spoken to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin over the phone seeking to push for a common candidate for the post of Vice-President, it is reliably learnt. The two leaders spoke before the BJP formally fielded Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, who hails from the influential Kongu Vellala Gounder community in western Tamil Nadu, as its candidate for the post. Mr. Stalin did not commit anything.

Incidentally, Mr. Radhakrishnan had last month called on Mr. Stalin following the latter’s brief hospitalisation.

“It (Mr. Singh’s outreach) happened a few days ago and before the BJP announced Mr. Radhakrishnan’s candidature. The Chief Minister, however, did not make any commitment,” an informed source in the DMK told The Hindu on Monday (August 18, 2025).

For the DMK, this could be a tough call as opposing a candidate from Tamil Nadu may not be seen as a prudent move ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. At the same time, the party cannot politically back a BJP candidate. The DMK is in alliance with the Congress, Left parties and a few others.

In the past, except the Communists, other parties in Tamil Nadu had supported APJ Abdul Kalam’s candidature for the post of President, even though he was a BJP candidate. At that time, the DMK was in the NDA.

No support from CPI(M)

Meanwhile, CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby told The Hindu his party would not support Mr. Radhakrishnan.

Tamil Nadu Congress leaders are also in touch with the party’s high command in New Delhi. “They (leadership) told us a decision will be taken in a couple of days,” said a Congress leader.