The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has recently announced its candidate for Vice President of India from the party as C.P. Radhakrishnan, the former MP from Coimbatore and present Maharashtra Governor. The announcement came in the backdrop of Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation on July 21 citing health reasons. While Dhankhar’s exit triggered widespread conjecture regarding his replacement, the BJP appointment of Radhakrishnan, a veteran Tamil Nadu politician, has led to wondering if and how the party is making its move in the Dravidian stronghold that has traditionally controlled the south.
Is C.P. Radhakrishnan a ‘Trump Card’ for BJP in Tamil Nadu?
For the last four decades, C.P. Radhakrishnan, a former member of the RSS , commenced his political journey. He was a Swayamsevak in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, and later joined the Jana Sangh (the BJP’s predecessor) and served as secretary of the Tamil Nadu BJP in 1996. He was also served as State President from 2004-2007. During Radhakrishnan’s tenure, he directed a Rath Yatra of 19,000 km over 93 days, that brought focus to river-linking, counter-terrorism and erasing untouchability.
Has a reputation for grassroots outreach and low-key style, Radhakrishnan has gained the confidence of BJP senior leadership. It is learned that Defense Minister Rajnath Singh personally called Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin before Radhakrishnan’s nomination, indicating a guarded but calculated strategy by the BJP. Experts opine that his strong inroads in Tamil Nadu, along with his soft-hued approach, make him a viable ‘trump card’ to catch the pulse of a state where BJP has always found it difficult to exert its power.
Is Modi Eyeing Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian Votes?
Tamil Nadu has always remained as a strong pillar for Dravdiian parties, notably AIADMK and DMK, which offers little prospects for BJP. Though BJP has a tie-up with AIADMK, their influence is largely blocked, while other regional parties such as Kamal Hassan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) along with Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) maintain anti-Hindutva positions, complicating BJP’s ideological expansions.
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By suggesting a senior Tamil Nadu politician for a national position, Narendra Modi is looking to “consolidate the Dravidian votes,” namely those who are not especially accommodating in their politics. Radhakrishnan’s appointment may also run counter to the BJP’s drive to appeal to Tamil Nadu voters before the 2026 Assembly election where regional and national political forces will intersect.
Is BJP Planning to Counter the Anti-Hindutva Rhetoric of Regional Parties?
BJP’s Vice President candidate can also be analyzed from an ideological angle. Dravidian leaders like Kamal Haasan and Udhayanidhi Stalin have criticized Sanatana Dharma in the past and have characterized it as a social issue that needs to be interrogated. Udhayanidhi once compared Sanatana Dharma with Malaria. Haasan’s recent comments about education ending “dictatorship and Sanatana”, were met with strong opinions by BJP Tamil Nadu leaders, who even suggested banning his movies.
Radhakrishnan’s elevation may also be viewed as the BJP’s inconspicuous effort to gain an upper hand against the anti-Hindutva rhetoric of the regional parties. BJP may wish to attempt to bring a Tamil person from the state incubated in Sanatana Dharma and politics into the mainstream ideological framework to reconstruct its vision as a relevant player in the ethnic and ideological landscape of the state.
Will Vijay’s TVK Be Shaken by BJP’s VP Move?
Actor-turned-politician Vijay’s TVK is becoming a strong challenger to DMK in Tamil Nadu. Taking an anti-BJP and anti-DMK stand, Vijay has himself projected as a people-friendly choice before the elections in 2026. His presence in functions such as the launch of the book “Ambedkar: Leader for All” has caused tension in the DMK-VCK alliance, with Thol Thirumavalavan stepping back to prevent political ambiguity.
BJP’s tactical game of fielding a Tamil Nadu politician for the Vice President could indirectly affect TVK’s momentum. By sending out the message that Tamil Nadu politicians can reach national level under BJP’s flag, the party might be trying to break emerging alliances and sway people’s perception, quietly redefining the state’s political epitome.
BJP’s VP action indicates its plans to entrench its existence in Tamil Nadu, from courting Dravidian votes to countering anti-Hindutva messaging campaigns, and quietly defending against new regional influences like Vijay’s TVK. With political alignments shaping up as parties begin to eye the Assembly polls in 2026, the action could also reshape political alignments, voter sentiments, and the concept of regional solidarity equivalent to Dravidianism.
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience covering Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes that every voice matters, and journalism has a vital role to play in amplifying those voices. Sofia is committed to creating impact and shedding light on stories that truly matter. Beyond her work in the newsroom, she is also a music enthusiast who enjoys singing.
