Radhakrishnan’s VP Nomination, RSS Backs Stray Dog Stand
NDA candidate C P Radhakrishnan, a leading contender for the vice-presidency, is a noteworthy selection. Despite being a dedicated RSS member, his political approach is similar to the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's consensual style. Emerging from the Vajpayee era of consensus politics, Radhakrishnan was an aide to the late Prime Minister during the BJP's inception in 1980. As the president of the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit, he effectively managed the party's alliances with the DMK and AIADMK. His rapport with leaders from both parties was so strong that they humorously referred to him as the Vajpayee of Tamil Nadu BJP. Some even likened him to Vajpayee as the right man in the wrong party. When the BJP severed ties with the Dravidian parties to contest independently in Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan was succeeded by K Annamalai, whose confrontational style aligned better with the party's strategy. However, with the BJP's recent decision to partner with the AIADMK for the upcoming state assembly elections, Annamalai has been dismissed.
Interestingly, he has been replaced by BJP MLA Nainar Nagendran, a former AIADMK leader and minister. Radhakrishnan's elevation holds significance in many ways. His RSS credentials are a peace offering to the Sangh amid differences over the election of the next BJP president. His rapport with the Dravidian parties may prove valuable in the BJP's attempts to rebuild its alliance with the AIADMK but perhaps it was his reputation for moderation and consensus that swung the vote in his favour during the BJP high command's selection of the vice-presidential candidate. Radhakrishnan is a stark contrast to the previous vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar, whose brief three-year tenure was tumultuous and full of controversies.
Dhankhar often clashed with the opposition, resulting in daily disruptions and uproar. His tenure also saw the highest number of suspensions of opposition MPs. Radhakrishnan is expected to bring back some decorum and order in the Rajya Sabha and ensure smooth functioning of the House while sticking to the party line on issues. Obviously, Dhankhar's chances of becoming the Vice President are in doubt as the Modi government is not willing to repeat its unfortunate experience with him.
RSS enters the stray dog controversy
RSS has entered the ongoing stray dog controversy in Delhi. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat recently said that street dogs should not be kept in shelters, as proposed by the Supreme Court last week. He also said that their numbers should be reduced by the internationally tried and tested method of catch-sterilise-vaccinate-release. Following Bhagwat's statement, RSS supporters and activists joined animal rights activists to protest against the recent Supreme Court order that ordered the Delhi Municipal Corporation to permanently send street dogs to shelters even though it has none in the city.
It was interesting to hear chants of Har Har Mahadev, Jai Shree Ram and Jai Mata Di at many street protests. This shows that those feeding and caring for the dogs are not just South Delhi aunties in big cars (as some critics have derided) but also RSS supporters. What is more significant, say some, is the conversations heard at these rallies, with the same saffron supporters remembering the day they voted for the BJP and the BJP government came to power in Delhi after 27 years.
The behaviour of the protesters was quite aggressive. Obviously, the RSS is concerned about this showdown on the streets. Bhagwat's comment on sterilisation instead of shelters for stray dog management is believed to be a signal to the BJP to address the issue in a more empathetic and humane way. This was said in a conference of religious leaders when the campaign to save Delhi's stray dogs was at its peak. However, many leaders did not agree with Bhagwat and were in favor of running a campaign to remove stray dogs from the streets. However, on Friday, the Supreme Court has said in its interim decision that the dogs which have been vaccinated will be released at the same place from where they were caught. Dogs which are dangerous or suffering from rabies will not be released. This decision is being welcomed everywhere.