Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran has hailed the nomination of Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan for the Vice Presidential post as a “moment of pride for Tamils,” while criticizing the ruling DMK for refusing to back his candidature.

In an official statement, Nagendran described Radhakrishnan’s nomination as “a recognition of Tamil Nadu’s contribution to the nation” and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA leadership.

“Dr CP Radhakrishnan has always upheld Tamil values while serving the country. His victory will be a proud moment for every Tamil household,” he said.

Taking a political dig at the DMK, Nagendran reminded the party of its earlier decision not to support Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s second term as President. “This is an opportunity for the DMK to correct its historic blunder. By refusing to support another Tamil leader, the DMK risks being on the wrong side of history again,” he added.

The DMK, while welcoming the nomination, has ruled out supporting Radhakrishnan, citing ideological differences with the BJP. However, the BJP is framing this as an attempt to portray DMK as inconsistent on Tamil pride while projecting itself as the party that elevates Tamil leaders to national prominence.

Radhakrishnan, a two-time MP from Coimbatore, former Tamil Nadu BJP chief, and currently Maharashtra Governor, enjoys goodwill across party lines, including with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. If elected, he would become the third Vice President from Tamil Nadu after Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and R Venkataraman, both of whom later became Presidents.

For the BJP, the nomination holds strong symbolism. Facing criticism from the DMK over issues like alleged Hindi imposition, NEET, and fund allocation, the party is leveraging this move to improve its image in the state and position itself as inclusive.

Strategically, Radhakrishnan’s strong roots in western Tamil Nadu, where the BJP has been making inroads, add political weight, especially in the AIADMK stronghold. With BJP’s majority in Parliament ensuring his victory, the larger goal, insiders say, is reshaping perceptions ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.