New Delhi [India], September 10 (ANI): National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee CP Radhakrishnan was on Tuesday elected as the 15th Vice President of India, defeating the opposition INDIA bloc’s joint candidate, Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, by 152 votes.
Radhakrishnan secured 452 first preference votes against Reddy’s 300, while 15 votes were declared invalid. Out of 781 MPs, 767 cast their votes, recording a turnout of 98.20 per cent. Thirteen MPs abstained from voting, including seven from the Biju Janata Dal, four from Bharath Rashtra Samithi, one from Shiromani Akali Dal, and one independent.
The Vice President’s office had been vacant since July 21 following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on health grounds.
Radhakrishnan’s Pledge
Speaking after his victory, Radhakrishnan expressed gratitude and pledged to dedicate himself to the nation’s progress.
“In the new capacity, I will try my best for the development of the nation,” he said. Stressing the importance of balance in democracy, he added, “Both the ruling party and the opposition are important. They are two sides of the same coin, and the interest of democracy will always be taken into account.”
Acknowledging the INDIA bloc’s claim that the election was an ideological contest, he said, “From the voting pattern, we understand that the nationalistic ideology has become victorious.” He further urged political unity for the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047: “Once the election is over, we must put aside politics and concentrate on development.”
Reactions from Leaders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally visited Radhakrishnan to congratulate him, later writing on X:
“Congratulations to Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji on winning the 2025 Vice Presidential election. His life has always been devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalised. I am confident that he will strengthen our Constitutional values and enhance Parliamentary discourse.”
President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her greetings, stating: “Your decades of rich experience in public life will make a significant contribution to the nation’s progress.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised Radhakrishnan’s administrative knowledge, saying it would “bring out the best in our parliamentary democracy to serve the marginalised.”
Opposition’s Response
Despite the defeat, Justice B. Sudershan Reddy extended warm wishes to the newly elected Vice President but vowed to continue the ideological struggle.
“Though the result is not in my favour, the larger cause we have collectively sought to advance remains undiminished. The ideological battle continues with ever greater vigour,” he said in a statement.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also congratulated Radhakrishnan but termed the contest a “battle of ideology.”
“This was more than an election; it was a battle of ideology, reaffirming that governments with authoritarian tendencies must be checked to protect our Constitution and democracy,” Kharge said on X. He urged the Vice President to uphold parliamentary traditions and safeguard democratic values.
Political Observations
Union Minister Bhagwat Karad noted that 14 INDIA bloc MPs indulged in cross-voting, while BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal claimed that “40 MPs of the opposition voted in favour of CP Radhakrishnan,” crediting Rahul Gandhi’s call to “listen to the voice of conscience.”
Radhakrishnan’s Journey
Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan has had a political career spanning over five decades. Before his Vice Presidential election, he served as the 24th Governor of Maharashtra since July 2024, and earlier as Governor of Jharkhand, Telangana (additional charge), and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.
A former two-time MP from Coimbatore, Radhakrishnan entered public life through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) before joining the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1974. He later rose through the BJP ranks, becoming Tamil Nadu secretary in 1996 and winning Lok Sabha elections in 1998 and 1999.
With his election as the Vice President of India, Radhakrishnan now assumes the second-highest constitutional office in the country, pledging to work “within the framework” of the post to uphold democracy and the Constitution. (ANI)
642 words, 3 minutes read time.
About The Author
