Overview

• The NDA formally nominated Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan on August 17–18 and he publicly thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and other leaders for their support.
• Key alliance partners—TDP, Janasena, JDU and Shiv Sena (UBT)—have declared backing for his candidacy ahead of the nomination window closing on August 21.
• The Congress and DMK have rejected his nomination over his RSS roots, leaving the INDIA bloc split on whether to field a joint candidate.
• With about 422 votes in the combined Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha electoral college, the NDA is poised to ensure his victory in the September 9 secret-ballot vote.
• BJP strategists highlight Radhakrishnan’s OBC (Gounder) identity and Tamil Nadu background as a means to bolster the party’s southern outreach.