Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, born on October 20, 1957, is an Indian politician and businessman who has ascended to the position of Vice President of India. His election on September 9, 2025, marks the culmination of a long and varied political career within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the broader Sangh Parivar.

Radhakrishnan's political journey began in his teenage years when he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the age of 16. He became a State Executive Committee member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1974. He was appointed the Secretary of the BJP in Tamil Nadu in 1996. His early career involved close association with Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He gained national prominence after being elected twice to the Lok Sabha, representing Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999. His initial victory was particularly significant as he was one of only three BJP candidates to win in Tamil Nadu, a milestone achieved through an alliance with the AIADMK. During his time as an MP, he chaired the Standing Committee on Textiles and served on committees related to finance and public sector undertakings. In 2004, he addressed the UN General Assembly as part of the Indian legislative delegation. Radhakrishnan also served as the State President of the BJP in Tamil Nadu from 2004 to 2007. During this period, he undertook a 93-day "Ratha Yatra" covering 19,000 kilometers to advocate for issues such as linking Indian rivers, eradicating untouchability, and combating terrorism.

Before becoming Vice President, Radhakrishnan held gubernatorial positions in multiple states. He was appointed Governor of Jharkhand in February 2023 and served until July 2024. During his time in Jharkhand, he toured all 24 districts of the state to engage with residents and government officials. In March 2024, he took on the additional responsibilities of Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. On July 31, 2024, he was appointed as the Governor of Maharashtra.

Radhakrishnan's nomination as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the 2025 vice presidential election was announced on August 17, 2025. He was supported by NDA member parties, as well as non-member parties such as the YSRCP. In the election, he faced opposition from B. Sudershan Reddy, the candidate of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). C.P. Radhakrishnan secured 452 votes, while B. Sudershan Reddy received 300 votes. As Vice President, Radhakrishnan will also serve as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.

Throughout his career, Radhakrishnan has maintained an image as a pragmatic and straightforward leader. His election as Vice President is seen as a move by the BJP to strengthen its presence in southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu.