INDIA bloc may announce its vice-prez nominee today

Former Indian Space Research Organisation scientist Mylswamy Annadurai and Mahatma Gandhi's great grandson Tushar Gandhi were among the names the Opposition discussed as its vice-presidential candidate ata meeting in Delhi on Monday.

- Saubhadra Chatterji

The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), which met at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in Delhi, will take its final call for the September 9 election on Tuesday.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is learnt to have pushed for former Supreme Court judge B Sudarshan Reddy.

With the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fielding Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) proposed the name of Annadurai at the meeting, which received the backing of some of the other parties, a leader aware of the details said. Annadurai’s name, however, did not receive support from TMC as the latter felt there should not be Tamil vs Tamil fight, according toa TMC leader.

Gandhi's name was also discussed, according to two leaders present in the meeting.

“5-6 names were discussed at length,” said a senior Opposition leader, requesting anonymity. ‘According to a second leader, the names of one or two political leaders also came up.