Tamil MPs Support For CPR Likely, Stalin Unlikely To Repeat His Father’s Mistake

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin was apparently livid on learning that a section of his party leaders had begun to project the Vice-President election as a “Centre Vs DMK battle”. He was particularly shocked to find out that party’s Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva had thrown his hat in the ring by offering to be Opposition Veep candidate. This DMK leader known to often break into Mohammed Rafi songs fancied he could win some popular rating among MPs. The main concern was that DMK votes do not go to Tamil candidates offered by the NDA – CP Radhakrishnan (CPR). Siva’s soundbite was all over Tamil news channels. This at a time when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had reached out to Stalin seeking his support for CPR. It is being said Stalin gave an earful to Siva. DMK’s hyperactivity made TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee oppose a Tamil candidate; she wondered why everyone was mollycoddling the DMK when TMC was a larger party with 28 Lok Sabha MPs than DMK’s 22. That’s why the Opposition opted for pro-left Justice Surendra Reddy. A pro Left judge, his appeal could be among those ideologically backing him, not culturally. The YSRCP which is outside the NDA has already extended support to CPR. More Opposition votes are likely to cross over or abstain. As for Stalin, he is still struggling to cope with the charge about how his father Karunanidhi had not helped a Tamil president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam get a second term as Sonia Gandhi was opposed to it. In all probability Stalin who enjoys a good equation with CPR may not repeat his father’s mistake. Meanwhile CPR who is in Delhi is not staying in Maharashtra Sadan though he continues to be Maharashtra Governor. He is staying at the residence of Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, his campaign manager for the elections.