Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan has been elected as the 15th Vice President of India, marking a significant victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The former Governor of Maharashtra secured 452 votes, defeating opposition candidate B. Sudershan Reddy who received 300 votes. The election, held on Tuesday, saw a high turnout of 98.20 percent, with 767 Members of Parliament casting their votes.
Radhakrishnan, a veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, hailed his win as a triumph of "nationalistic ideology". In his initial remarks after the election, he noted the cross-voting that occurred, suggesting that a nationalistic ideology resonated with some opposition MPs. He emphasized unity and vowed to work for the development of the nation, stating, "The opposition and the government are two sides of a coin. We'll work for everyone". Radhakrishnan has pledged to dedicate himself to making India a developed nation by 2047.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Radhakrishnan on his victory, expressing confidence that he would be an "outstanding" Vice President who would strengthen the country's constitutional values and enhance parliamentary discourse. Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed this sentiment, believing Radhakrishnan's experience and knowledge would serve the marginalized.
Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan's political journey began with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Jana Sangh before he joined the BJP. He has served as a two-time Member of Parliament from Coimbatore and held various positions within the BJP, including Tamil Nadu state president. Before being named as the NDA's Vice Presidential nominee, he served as the Governor of Maharashtra since July 2024, and previously as the Governor of Jharkhand, also holding additional charge of Telangana and Puducherry.
Radhakrishnan's career includes serving as Chairman of the Coir Board under the Ministry of MSME, where he oversaw record export growth. He also served as the BJP's in-charge for Kerala from 2020 to 2022. Furthermore, he was part of the Special Parliamentary Committee probing the Stock Exchange Scam and addressed the UN General Assembly in 2004.
The opposition INDIA bloc had put forward B. Sudershan Reddy, a retired Supreme Court judge, as their candidate. Reddy, known for his rulings against Salwa Judum and on black-money investigations, accepted the outcome with faith in the democratic process. He thanked opposition leaders for their support and affirmed that the ideological battle would continue. Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress President, congratulated Radhakrishnan while also stating that Reddy's fight was based on ideology.
The Vice Presidential election saw some interesting dynamics, including instances of cross-voting. While the BJP celebrated Radhakrishnan's win and questioned the opposition's unity, the Congress party defended their performance. Despite claims of a united front, the results indicated a possible dent in the INDIA bloc's numbers, raising questions about internal cohesion.
Radhakrishnan's election is viewed by some as a strategic move by the BJP to expand its influence in the southern states, particularly with Tamil Nadu heading for polls next year. His affable nature and ability to build consensus across party lines may prove valuable in his role as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
