Introduction
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a big political victory when veteran BJP leader and current Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan elected as India’s 15th Vice President.
He beat the opposition INDIA bloc candidate, retired Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy, by a wide margin. Radhakrishnan received 452 votes, significantly more than his opponent, who garnered only 300. There were 767 votes cast, and 752 of them were counted as valid. 15 ballots were considered invalid.
The Vice Presidential vacancy occurred after Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation in July 2025 on health grounds.
A Big Win for C.P. Radhakrishnan and NDA
Congratulatory messages poured in from President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, and the President of the Congress party, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, on the news declaring Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan elected as India’s 15th Vice President. The losing INDIA block candidate, Justice (Retd) B. Sudershan Reddy and Ex. Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar also congratulated the VP-Elect, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan.
A huge 98% of parliamentarians from all political parties, barring some regional parties, cast their votes in secret. BJD, BRS, and SAD abstained from voting, citing neutrality or political differences. Congress Leader Shri Jairam Ramesh tweeted that the 100% turnout of the opposition parties’ MPs was unprecedented.
The result confirmed the NDA’s power in Parliament, as C.P. Radhakrishnan elected as India’s 15th Vice President, receiving more votes than the alliance’s official statistics indicated.
Radhakrishnan will now have two jobs: Vice President of India and Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, a key role in ensuring legislative balance and parliamentary decorum.
Who is C.P. Radhakrishnan
Personal and Educational Background
- Full Name: Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan
- Born: May 4, 1957 (67 years old) in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu
- Education: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from V. O. Chidambaram College.
- Interests: Previously a college-level table tennis champion, I enjoy running and am a big fan of cricket and volleyball.
Political Journey and Career Highlights
RSS and BJP Roots: He has been affiliated with the RSS since childhood. He got involved in politics through the Jana Sangh and then moved up through the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit.
State Leadership: From 2004 to 2007, he served as the President of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. During that time, he led a 93-day, 19,000-kilometer Rath Yatra across Tamil Nadu to discuss topics including terrorism, river-linking, social reform, and anti-drug campaigns.
Parliamentary Role: He was elected twice as a Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore (1998 and 1999). He was the chair of the Standing Committee on Textiles and worked on finance and PSU-related panels. He spoke about humanitarian aid in the UN General Assembly in 2004, when he was part of India’s Parliamentary Delegation to the UN.
Administrative Posts: He was the BJP’s in-charge for Kerala from 2020 to 2022 and the Coir Board’s chairman from 2016 to 2020.
Governorships: Served as Governor of Jharkhand in 2023 and also took up the duties of Governor of Telangana and Puducherry in 2024. He became Governor of Maharashtra in July 2024 and remained in that position until he was chosen to be Vice President.
C.P. Radhakrishnan Elected as India’s 15th Vice President: Meaning and Symbolism
Radhakrishnan’s rise is not only a personal achievement but also a smart political move. His election is considered the NDA’s way of strengthening its ties with the south while rewarding a seasoned leader with decades of experience in organizing, legislating, and managing affairs. He comes from Tamil Nadu’s Gounder (OBC) community.
Conclusion
C.P. Radhakrishnan will be a key player in making sure that the Rajya Sabha runs smoothly during a time of tremendous political conflict between the government and the opposition. People anticipate that his long history in politics and reputation for being disciplined will enable him to effectively address difficult problems in Parliament.
India now looks forward to stable, experienced, and strategic leadership in the country’s second-highest constitutional post following his historic win.