C.P. Radhakrishnan, also known as P Radhakrishnan, has become India’s 15th vice president and the new leader of our nation’s constitutional deputy. His decisive electoral victory came against I.N.D.I.A. bloc candidate and former Supreme Court Judge B. Sudershan Reddy with a 152-vote margin. The election saw 767 total votes, with 752 valid ones and 15 invalid. Radhakrishnan’s strong support showed when he won 452 valid votes in the 781-member electoral college, while his opponent received 300 votes.
Many people know Radhakrishnan from his role as governor of Maharashtra, a position he took on July 31, 2024. The BJP and its alliance partners carefully selected him as the NDA candidate after thorough discussions. His election adds a new chapter to our nation’s democratic journey and shapes our government’s future direction.
CP Radhakrishnan wins Vice Presidential election with 452 votes
NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan won a clear victory in the Vice Presidential election on September 9, 2025. He got 452 of the 752 valid votes cast. INDIA bloc’s candidate B Sudershan Reddy received 300 votes, leaving a 152-vote gap. The election at Vasudha hall in the new Parliament building saw 767 electors show up – an impressive 98.2% turnout.
Radhakrishnan’s victory numbers went beyond expectations, even though NDA had 427 MPs plus 11 from YSRCP on paper. BJP leaders claimed that about 15 opposition MPs voted for their candidate. This is a big deal as it means that the final count went past BJP’s expected 440 votes, demonstrating the NDA’s numerical strength.
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation due to health issues on July 21 made this election necessary. Radhakrishnan will now take his place as India’s second-highest constitutional officer and lead the Rajya Sabha as its chairman.
Leaders rushed to congratulate the new Vice President. President Droupadi Murmu said Radhakrishnan’s “decades of rich experience in public life will contribute by a lot to the nation’s progress.” Former Vice President Dhankhar also sent his wishes and said Radhakrishnan’s new role “reflects the trust and confidence by the representatives of our nation.”
What shaped Radhakrishnan’s political journey?
CP Radhakrishnan started his political life as an RSS swayamsevak with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His early years in RSS helped shape his nationalist ideology. These foundational experiences influenced his political philosophy and his choices in public service by a lot.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) marked the beginning of his formal political career. He served as a twice elected MP from Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore constituency in western Tamil Nadu. His parliamentary tenure showed him as someone who promoted regional development while staying in line with the party’s national vision. During his time as an MP, Radhakrishnan actively participated in various parliamentary committees, gaining valuable experience in legislative processes.
This seasoned organiser proved his administrative skills as Chairman of the Tamil Nadu BJP. He strengthened the party’s presence in a state where regional parties held power traditionally. His leadership qualities helped him become the governor of Jharkhand and later Maharashtra. These roles prepared him for bigger constitutional responsibilities.
Most previous vice presidents of India came from judicial or diplomatic backgrounds. Radhakrishnan’s rise shows how career politicians can reach this constitutional office. His trip reflects the ever-changing world of Indian politics. Party loyalty and organizational experience now shape the path to the republic’s highest offices.
Why does Radhakrishnan’s election matter politically?
Radhakrishnan’s rise to India’s second-highest constitutional office marks several political milestones in the country’s governance. The BJP-led NDA now has stronger control over both houses of Parliament since the Vice President leads the Rajya Sabha as its Chairperson. This institutional position will give the ruling coalition more power to handle legislative matters.
The BJP’s choice reveals its strategic thinking about southern India, especially when you have Tamil Nadu where the party hasn’t gained much ground. The government seems to reach out to this politically crucial region by choosing a Tamil leader from the Gounder community for this prestigious role.
The new Vice President’s RSS background shows the ideological harmony in key constitutional posts. His selection creates a governance trio that shares fundamental connections to the RSS-BJP ecosystem – the President, Prime Minister, and Vice President.
The election results, with a 152-vote margin, highlight how the current opposition struggles to challenge government nominations effectively. Cross-voting patterns point to cracks within the INDIA bloc that could affect opposition unity in the long run.
Radhakrishnan’s appointment as vice president after Dhankhar’s sudden resignation will give administrative stability at the highest levels. It also keeps the ideological balance in India’s constitutional leadership structure intact.
Conclusion
CP Radhakrishnan’s victory stands as the most important chapter in our nation’s political fabric. He moves from his role as governor of Maharashtra to become India’s vice president with strong parliamentary support. The 152-vote margin demonstrates NDA’s numerical advantage and reveals notable cross-voting from opposition ranks. This suggests possible cracks within the INDIA bloc.
The electoral result without doubt strengthens BJP-led NDA’s control over parliamentary proceedings. The Vice President’s role as Rajya Sabha chairman makes this especially vital. BJP’s strategy appears calculated to expand its reach in southern India, mainly Tamil Nadu where the party struggles to establish a strong foothold.
Radhakrishnan’s RSS background and his political experience through BJP ranks strengthens the ideological harmony at top constitutional positions. The President, Prime Minister, and Vice President now share common philosophical roots within the RSS-BJP ecosystem.
The transition holds vital importance after Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation. The smooth electoral process and strong parliamentary support ensure constitutional stability that mirrors our democracy’s current political reality. Radhakrishnan’s rich experience from an RSS swayamsevak to parliamentarian to governor concludes in his new role. As India’s second-highest constitutional officer, he stands ready to shape our parliamentary democracy’s next chapter, bringing his affable nature and extensive experience to this crucial position.
FAQs
Q1. Who is CP Radhakrishnan and what position did he recently secure?
CP Radhakrishnan is a seasoned organiser and veteran politician who was recently elected as India’s vice president. He won the election with 452 votes, defeating his opponent by a margin of 152 votes.
Q2. What is CP Radhakrishnan’s political background?
Radhakrishnan has a long political career, starting as an RSS swayamsevak. He served as a twice elected MP from Coimbatore in western Tamil Nadu, held governorships in multiple states, and was the Chairman of the Tamil Nadu BJP before becoming Vice President.
Q3. How does Radhakrishnan’s election impact India’s political landscape?
His election strengthens the BJP-led NDA’s control over both houses of Parliament, as the Vice President chairs the Rajya Sabha. It also signals BJP’s strategic outreach to southern India, particularly Tamil Nadu, where the party has historically struggled to establish a strong presence.
Q4. What are the key responsibilities of the Vice President of India?
As Vice President, Radhakrishnan will serve as India’s second-highest constitutional officer and chair the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament). He will also step in as Acting President when the President is unable to discharge duties.
Q5. How does Radhakrishnan’s background differ from previous Vice Presidents?
Unlike many previous Vice Presidents who often came from judicial or diplomatic backgrounds, Radhakrishnan represents the rise of career politicians to this constitutional office. His journey reflects changing dynamics in Indian politics, where organizational experience and party loyalty increasingly influence trajectories to high offices.
