Is Nationalism Winning Over Naxalism? UP Dy CM Celebrates Radhakrishnan’s Historic Victory

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Radhakrishnan's victory marks a significant moment for nationalism in India.
- The NDA alliance has demonstrated increased strength post-election.
- Cross-voting indicates possible disunity within the opposition.
- Radhakrishnan's leadership is expected to steer the nation towards new achievements.
- Public sentiment is shifting positively towards the NDA coalition.
Lucknow, Sep 10 (NationPress) The Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya, celebrated the significant triumph of C.P. Radhakrishnan, the newly elected Vice President of India, referring to it as a monumental victory of Nationalism over Naxalism.
In a conversation with IANS, Maurya expressed his joy regarding Radhakrishnan's commanding win, stating, “This is a momentous occasion. C.P. Radhakrishnan is now the Vice President of India. I extend my congratulations on behalf of myself and the people of Uttar Pradesh.”
Maurya emphasized that with Radhakrishnan at the helm, the nation is set to achieve new milestones.
“There is a wave of excitement throughout the country, especially in South India. His ability to secure more votes than the NDA's anticipated strength indicates that the alliance has become more robust. The INDIA bloc has been significantly weakened,” he noted.
Addressing rumors of cross-voting, Maurya remarked, “This election transcended party lines. It was a contest of nationalism versus naxalism -- and nationalism has emerged victorious with a substantial majority.”
On Tuesday, C.P. Radhakrishnan, the NDA candidate for Vice President, triumphed over the Opposition's nominee, B. Sudershan Reddy, earning 452 first-preference votes -- surpassing the necessary 377-mark and winning by a margin of 152 votes, as reported by Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody.
Of the 781 eligible members of Parliament, 315 opposition MPs cast their votes, while 13 MPs refrained from voting, including seven from the Biju Janata Dal, four from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, one from the Shiromani Akali Dal, and one independent.
Radhakrishnan’s election follows nearly two months after the resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, due to health issues.
Recognized for his composed demeanor and inclusive leadership, C.P. Radhakrishnan was the Governor of Maharashtra when the NDA nominated him for the Vice-Presidential position. He previously served as a two-time MP from Coimbatore during the Vajpayee administration and narrowly missed a cabinet position in 1998 due to confusion with another leader from Tamil Nadu with a similar name.
Despite the opposition's claims of unity, the final voting results suggest that some cross-voting may have occurred in favor of C.P. Radhakrishnan. The BJP, which worked discreetly to garner full support from its alliance partners, was quick to point out the apparent fractures within the Opposition.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated on Tuesday, “Several Opposition members have shown support for our NDA candidate. This is undoubtedly a positive sign.”
BJP insiders believe that at least 15 MPs from Opposition parties voted for the NDA nominee. Simultaneously, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh insisted that all 315 MPs from the INDIA bloc participated in the voting.
“The Opposition remained entirely united. All 315 of our MPs were present and cast their votes. Such a 100 percent turnout is genuinely remarkable,” Ramesh shared on the social media platform X.