After the NDA announced C. P. Radhakrishnan as its vice-presidential candidate, the INDIA Bloc is also deliberating on a potential name to contest the elections.
Sources told News24 that the opposition may field DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, in an attempt to put up a similar candidate from the same home state to counter the NDA’s choice.
Sources further added that the final name will be decided after a crucial meeting of INDIA Bloc leaders at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence.
On speculations of DMK MP Tiruchi Siva to be named the Opposition’s Vice Presidential candidate, SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav said, “Nothing like that has been decided…There is a meeting at 5.30 pm today at residence of Mallikarjun Kharge, come there.”
#WATCH | On speculations of DMK MP Tiruchi Siva to be named the Opposition's Vice Presidential candidate, SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav says, "…Nothing like that has been decided…There is a meeting at 5.30 pm today at residence of Mallikarjun Kharge, come there." pic.twitter.com/5GedV8NQvi
— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2025
Who Is Tiruchi Siva?
Tiruchi Siva is a Rajya Sabha MP from the state of Tamil Nadu. He represented the state in the Lower and Upper House of the Parliament in 1996, 2002, 2007, 2014 and 2020. Born on 6 June, 1954, the 71-year-old MP became the first DMK MP to serve the fourth term in the Upper House.
Siva began his political career in 1978 as an organiser for the DMK’s District Students’ Wing. He later served as Deputy Secretary of the party’s Youth Wing from 1982 to 1992, and again held the post as the secretary between 1992 and 2007.
