Senior DMK leader and former Rajya Sabha MP TKS Elangovan sharply criticized the BJP’s nomination of Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate for Vice President, asserting it would bring no benefits to Tamil Nadu. Speaking to PTI Videos on Monday, Elangovan dismissed the move as a superficial gesture by the BJP to appeal to Tamil voters ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, expected by March-April 2026.

Elangovan questioned why the DMK, a key partner in the INDIA bloc, should support Radhakrishnan’s candidacy, stating, “His elevation is personal, but it does nothing good for Tamil Nadu.” He accused the BJP-led central government of consistently undermining Tamil Nadu’s interests, alleging that Radhakrishnan’s nomination is a strategic ploy to project the BJP as supportive of Tamils. “The BJP is trying to claim they’ve done something for Tamils, but this is just optics,” he said.

The DMK leader also pointed out that the vice-presidential term, filling the remainder of Jagdeep Dhankhar’s tenure, would last only about two years, further diminishing its significance for the state. Elangovan emphasized that the DMK would align with the INDIA bloc’s collective decision on supporting a candidate, rather than endorsing Radhakrishnan based on his Tamil roots.

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The nomination comes amid heightened political tensions in Tamil Nadu, with the DMK and BJP locked in a battle for influence ahead of the 2026 elections. Elangovan’s remarks reflect the DMK’s broader narrative of accusing the central government of neglecting Tamil Nadu’s needs, including issues like state funding and cultural recognition. The BJP, meanwhile, appears to be leveraging Radhakrishnan’s Tamil background to strengthen its foothold in a state where it has historically struggled to gain traction.

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