The Hindu editorial on 11/09/2025 optimistically views C.P. Radhakrishnan's appointment as the Vice-President of India as a positive step towards ending hostilities in the Rajya Sabha, describing him as a "man of faith." However, it also marks another attempt by the BJP to align its nationalist ideology with the Sangh Parivar agenda.
An assessment of his political career demonstrates a stronger commitment to ideology than to careerism. He became an executive member of the Jan Sangh in 1974, at a time when the RSS had minimal presence in Tamil Nadu. His political journey includes multiple roles: two-time Lok Sabha MP, member of various parliamentary committees, participant in a special committee investigating a stock market scam, Indian representative to the UN, and Governor of both Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
As BJP state president, he undertook a 93-day 'Ratha Yatra', raising his voice for various causes including river linking, ending untouchability, countering terrorism, and promoting a Uniform Civil Code.
However, his new role will test his political acumen. He has been vocal in support of federalism and Centre-State cooperation, yet the BJP and RSS have increasingly displayed a centralizing tendency in recent years. Executive supremacy has weakened Parliament, the arbitrary classification of finance bills has deliberately eroded the role of the Rajya Sabha, hostility between the government and the opposition has deepened, and parliamentary committees have often become platforms for senseless rhetoric.
In this context, the editorial expresses hope that Radhakrishnan’s conduct and approach may foster improved cooperation between the government and the opposition.
0 Comments