CP Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, has been elected as India’s 15th Vice President. The election was held on Tuesday, September 9, and the results showed a comfortable victory for Radhakrishnan, who secured 452 votes. His opponent, B Sudershan Reddy from the INDIA bloc, received 300 votes. The winning margin was 152 votes, which highlighted cross-voting in Radhakrishnan’s favour.
The polling started in the morning at 10 am and continued till 5 pm in the Parliament complex. After voting ended, the counting process began immediately. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to cast his vote, followed by senior ministers and MPs.
This election was necessary after the sudden resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21. Although Dhankhar officially cited health reasons for his decision, political circles were abuzz with speculation about disagreements with the ruling NDA leadership.
Radhakrishnan’s victory was made possible through the strong backing of the NDA and some additional support. He had the votes of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal United (JDU), Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas faction), Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Janata Dal Secular (JDS), and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). In a surprise move, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP also voted in his favour.
On the other hand, the INDIA bloc fielded B Sudershan Reddy as its joint candidate. He was supported by Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Samajwadi Party (SP), Trinamool Congress (TMC), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Left parties.
Interestingly, several parties chose to stay away from the voting process. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) abstained.
Before the voting, analysts had predicted that Radhakrishnan would receive about 437 votes, while Reddy was expected to get at least 324. However, the final count showed Radhakrishnan ahead with 452 votes, while Reddy fell short with 300. This indicated cross-voting by some MPs who were expected to back the Opposition but voted for the NDA nominee instead.
The support for Radhakrishnan was seen as a strong show of unity within the NDA and its allies, as well as his wide acceptance beyond the ruling coalition.
CP Radhakrishnan was born on May 4, 1957, in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu. He joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the age of 16 in 1973. His early involvement with the RSS shaped his beliefs and prepared him for an active political career. He first worked with the Janata Party before finally joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), where he went on to play a key role in Tamil Nadu politics.
Radhakrishnan’s big break came in 1998 when he contested and won the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat as a BJP candidate. This victory was significant because it came soon after the tragic Coimbatore bombings, which had increased the BJP’s influence in the region. He repeated his success in 1999, winning the seat again, though with a reduced margin.
During his time in Parliament, Radhakrishnan built a reputation as a strong representative of his constituency. His victory margins were impressive, with over 1.5 lakh votes in 1998 and around 55,000 in 1999.
Beyond Parliament, his role in the BJP grew steadily. From 2004 to 2007, he served as the President of BJP Tamil Nadu. During this period, he undertook a remarkable 93-day rath yatra, traveling across the state to campaign for several social and political causes. These included interlinking rivers across India, ending untouchability, and fighting against terrorism.
Radhakrishnan also worked behind the scenes to revive the NDA’s alliances in Tamil Nadu after the DMK broke ties with the BJP in 2004. His leadership and grassroots efforts helped the party maintain a presence in the state, even when it was struggling to expand.
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Radhakrishnan’s election as Vice President is important in more than one way. First, it reflects the strength and unity of the NDA in Parliament. His victory margin, greater than expected, shows that the ruling coalition has the ability to secure wider support even during contests with the united Opposition.
Second, his rise from a state leader to one of the highest constitutional positions in the country demonstrates how the BJP has rewarded loyalty and long-standing commitment to the party’s ideology. From being an RSS volunteer at 16 to now becoming India’s Vice President, his journey mirrors the growth of the BJP in southern India, where it has gradually built a base.
As Vice President, Radhakrishnan will also serve as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. His ability to handle debates, ensure order in the Upper House, and build consensus among political parties will be closely watched. The role requires balance, patience, and firmness, especially in a politically divided atmosphere.
With his long political experience and reputation for discipline, Radhakrishnan is expected to bring a steady hand to the position. His election marks another milestone in his career and adds to the list of leaders from Tamil Nadu who have risen to hold high constitutional offices in India.
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