Spotlight on DMK as Opposition meets to discuss VP polls

After BJP-led NDA government's announcement of Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan, a BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, as its vice-presidential candidate, the spotlight is on DMK and its regional allies in Tamil Nadu as the Opposition INDIA bloc floor leaders are set to meet on Monday to discuss their strategy for the September 9 polls. In the past presidential and vice-presidential elections, regional sentiments had triggered cross-alliance/party voting.

With Radhakrishnan also belonging to the politically significant OBC community and given that Tamil Nadu is headed for assembly polls next year, Opposition circles are abuzz whether DMK and its regional allies, a key component of the INDIA bloc, can withstand the imminent push to add "Tamil pride" to Radhakrishnan's candidature. The rival AIADMK and BJP are expected to play to the gallery about the prospect of a fellow Tamilian holding India's second-highest post.

"The Opposition leaders are likely to discuss on Monday the strategy for the vice-presidential election. DMK and its regional allies' readiness to fight against Radhakrishnan will decide whether we will have a candidate or will it be a unanimous vice-presidential election," said a senior INDIA bloc leader.

Presidential and vice-presidential elections have earlier witnessed cross-alliance and cross-party voting on regional lines. Congress presidential candidate Pranab Mukherjee forced both the Marxists and Trinamool Congress to back him amid excitement about the first Bengali becoming the president. Similarly, UPA fielding Pratibha Devisingh Patil for the top post made Shiv Sena to support her due to their shared Maharashtra roots. When Indira Gandhi named Zail Singh as Congress presidential candidate, arch-rival Akali Dal backed him, saying he would be the first Sikh to be the president. Vajpayee-led NDA's presidential candidate APJ Abdul Kalam received support from both SP and Congress due to their competitive enthusiasm for a Muslim as president. The fact that party whips don't apply in these elections make it more 'flexible', resulting in many Opposition parties suffering "cross-voting".