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Kiren Rijiju Expresses Gratitude to MPs Following CP Radhakrishnan's Election

Just a day after CP Radhakrishnan was elected as India's Vice President, Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, expressed his appreciation to the MPs from the India bloc for their votes, which hinted at cross-voting. The election for the Vice President took place on Tuesday, September 9. Radhakrishnan, the NDA candidate, secured victory with 452 votes out of a total of 767 cast in the secret ballot.

In a conversation on Wednesday, Rijiju thanked the MPs from the India bloc who reportedly participated in cross-voting, thereby ensuring the NDA candidate's success. He specifically acknowledged those MPs who voted for Radhakrishnan, citing their 'inner voice' during the election. He emphasized the unity among NDA members and their allies, stating that the election was conducted through ballots, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. Both parties had representatives present throughout the voting and counting process, ensuring transparency.

Prior to the Vice Presidential election on Tuesday, the NDA candidate had a tally of 427 votes, reflecting the strength of the BJP-led coalition in Parliament. However, after the voting, Radhakrishnan received a total of 452 votes, indicating a gain of 14 votes. The candidate from the India bloc, B Sudarshan Reddy, garnered 300 votes. Before the counting, it was anticipated that the opposition candidate would receive around 324 votes. Ultimately, 15 votes were deemed invalid during the counting process. The increase in votes for Radhakrishnan raised questions about cross-voting, as NDA leaders suggested that opposition members may have supported their candidate.