Article Today, Hyderabad:
The Vice-Presidential election has turned into a political contest centred on the South. National alliances are relying on Tamilnadu and Telangana to tilt the balance. The NDA has fielded Tamil Nadu’s C.P. Radhakrishnan, while the INDIA bloc has nominated former Supreme Court judge Sudarshan Reddy of Telangana.
National Parties Eye Southern Turf
The contest has widened the tussle between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led INDIA bloc. Both have strategically chosen candidates with southern roots. The resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar due to personal reasons created the vacancy, forcing a fresh election.
Four Southern States Rally Behind Sudarshan Reddy
Despite Radhakrishnan’s Tamil Nadu background, the NDA faces an uphill task in securing regional support. Tamil Nadu’s DMK, Kerala’s Left Front, Telangana’s ruling Congress, and Karnataka’s Congress government have declared their backing for Sudarshan Reddy. This gives the INDIA bloc a solid southern front.
Centre Counts on Numbers, Not Region
The NDA’s advantage lies in its strength in Parliament. Though southern states have largely moved towards the INDIA bloc, the BJP remains confident of victory because of its majority in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The South may not sway the final outcome, but the symbolism matters.
Jagan’s Role Unsettles Chandrababu
Andhra Pradesh has once again emerged as a pivot in national politics. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP holds crucial numbers in Parliament. The BJP leadership, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, personally reached out to Mr. Jagan for support. This move has placed the ruling TDP in a difficult position.
Familiar Pattern in Andhra Pradesh
In the 2022 Presidential election, both YSRCP and TDP backed NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu despite their rivalry. The episode highlighted Andhra’s unique political positioning where national interest outweighs state-level hostilities. A similar script may repeat in this Vice-Presidential race.
YSRCP Finds New Leverage
The Vice-Presidential poll offers YSRCP a rare chance to assert its relevance at the Centre. Though the TDP claims to be NDA’s natural ally, it has little say in major decisions. Jagan’s potential support to the BJP could strengthen his standing in Delhi, while deepening the unease for Chandrababu Naidu’s camp.
