Loves sports, not political games: PM Modi felicitates NDA VP pick Radhakrishnan

New Delhi: NDA’s vice-presidential candidate CP Radhakrishnan was formally introduced at the ruling alliance MPs’ meeting and was lauded by prime minister Narendra Modi for his simple lifestyle and dedication to public service. The PM is learnt to have said that although Radhakrishnan is a keen sportsperson, he “does not play games in politics”.

Addressing an NDA parliamentary party meeting where Radhakrishnan was felicitated, Modi recalled his almost four-decade-long association with the former Tamil Nadu BJP chief, who was an RSS functionary like him before moving to the Jana Sangh and then the BJP. He said they have known each other from the time “they sported black hair” and praised his work in different capacities.

His comments reminded some MPs of Jagdeep Dhankhar, whose sudden resignation as vice president on July 21 threw up speculation that his ties with the ruling party might have gone sour, forcing him to quit the post.

PM Modi also slammed the Congress over the Indus Waters Treaty, put in abeyance by his government, saying Jawaharlal Nehru compromised India’s interest to “burnish his image” and gave his nod to the agreement without taking his Cabinet or Parliament into confidence, sources said. Amid criticism, Nehru later lamented that for a few “buckets” of water so much hue and cry was being raised, Modi said. He said the first PM had also played down China’s capture of Indian territory in Ladakh by claiming that not a blade of grass grows there.

Modi told MPs to send this message of alleged betrayal of India’s interests by the first prime minister to the common people and how his government has decided to undo the agreement’s adverse impact on the country, especially on farmers.

He said Nehru allowed over 80% of the river’s water to be used by Pakistan, betraying the interests of Indian farmers.Modi also took up the S&P Global Ratings’ recent decision to upgrade India’s long-term sovereign credit rating, saying it highlights the country’s sound economy and was confident that it would draw more investments.He noted that he was told that after his Independence Day speech, in which he had announced next-generation reforms and simplification of GST rates, the stock market would welcome the decision. Infact, the Sensex rallied for two consecutive days.Sounding confident of the economic outlook amid strained ties with the US, which has slapped a 50% tariff on India, Modi noted that the Delhi international airport has been ranked among the busiest airports in the world and India’s forex reserves remain robust.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Radhakrishnan (67) has led a simple life away from any controversy.

With the BJP-led NDA enjoying a comfortable majority in the electoral college comprising MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Radhakrishnan’s win is a certainty. He is likely to file his nomination on Wednesday.