A Southern Showdown for vice President: Who from I.N.D.I.A Bloc Can Compete with Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan?

Shri Shashi Tharoor

  • Diplomatic and International Stature: Tharoor has a long and distinguished career as a diplomat at the United Nations, where he served for nearly three decades, including as Under-Secretary-General. His international experience and global network are unparalleled in Indian politics.

  • Eloquent and Public-Facing: He is a renowned author and public intellectual, known for his eloquent speeches and ability to articulate complex issues. He is a strong communicator and has a significant following on social media, which could be an asset in a public-facing role.

  • Connects with Youth: His modern, articulate, and social media-savvy persona resonates with a younger demographic.

  • Political Experience: He is a four-time Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram and has served as a Minister of State in the Government of India. He has also held key positions as chairman of several parliamentary standing committees.

Shri P. Chidambaram

  • Extensive Administrative and Ministerial Experience: Chidambaram is a seasoned politician with a long and impactful career. He has served as a Union Minister on multiple occasions, most notably as the Union Minister of Finance four times and as the Union Minister of Home Affairs.

  • Deep Understanding of Governance and Economics: His extensive experience in key ministries, especially finance, gives him a deep understanding of governance, the economy, and policy-making.

  • Legal Expertise: A senior advocate, Chidambaram has a strong legal background, which would be highly valuable in the constitutional role of the Vice President, who also serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament).

  • Long-Standing Party Veteran: He is a long-time member of the Congress party and has held various important positions within the party hierarchy since the 1970s

Shri Tiruchi Siva is a prominent leader from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and a long-serving Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. While the INDIA bloc has not made a final decision on its vice-presidential candidate, his name has been widely discussed and is seen as a strong possibility, particularly because he hails from Tamil Nadu, the same state as the NDA's candidate, C. P. Radhakrishnan.

Here are some key aspects of Tiruchi Siva's background and political career that make him a potential candidate:

  • Extensive Parliamentary Experience: Tiruchi Siva has had a long career in Parliament, serving multiple terms in the Rajya Sabha and also a term in the Lok Sabha. This extensive experience would be a significant asset in the role of vice president, who also presides over the Rajya Sabha.

  • Legislative Acumen: He is known for his legislative work and has served on various parliamentary committees. A notable achievement is his private member's bill, the Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014, which was unanimously passed by the Rajya Sabha. This was a landmark achievement, as it was the first private member's bill to be passed by the Upper House in over four decades.


  • Strong Party Affiliation: As a senior leader of the DMK, Tiruchi Siva is a key figure within the INDIA bloc. The DMK is a major constituent of the alliance, and fielding a candidate from the party would be a strategic move to project a united front and counter the NDA's choice of a Tamil leader.

  • Strategic Regional Counter: The NDA's decision to field C. P. Radhakrishnan, a leader from Tamil Nadu, is seen as a move to appeal to the southern states. By fielding Tiruchi Siva, the INDIA bloc could create a "Tamil face versus Tamil face" dynamic, neutralizing the NDA's strategic advantage and reinforcing its own regional strength.

  • Orator and Writer: He is known for his skills as a speaker and a writer, which would be valuable in a public-facing constitutional role.

Considerations for the INDIA bloc

The choice between the three, would depend on the strategic objectives of the INDIA bloc.

  • If the bloc wants to project an internationally recognized, articulate, and modern face to counter the NDA's narrative, Shashi Tharoor would be a strong choice.

  • If the focus is on a candidate with deep legislative, administrative, and constitutional experience to effectively lead the Rajya Sabha, P. Chidambaram would be a very strong contender.

        The choice of Tiruchi Siva would not only be a political statement but also a practical move to                select a candidate with a deep understanding of parliamentary procedures and a long record of                public service. The final decision of the INDIA bloc will be made after a series of meetings and            consultations among its member parties.

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