BJP picks Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as NDA's Vice President candidate

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday officially announced Maharashtra Governor and senior party leader C.P. Radhakrishnan as the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election. The decision was finalized at a BJP Parliamentary Board meeting held to select the party's nominee for the country's second-highest constitutional office. If elected, Radhakrishnan will take over from Jagdeep Dhankhar, who recently resigned from the position due to health reasons.

The selection of Radhakrishnan is a strategic move by the NDA to field a candidate with extensive political and administrative experience. According to sources, the decision was unanimously taken by the party's top leadership. Following the announcement, Radhakrishnan is expected to attend the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting on Tuesday, where he will be formally introduced to the alliance's members of parliament.

C.P. Radhakrishnan, born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, has a long and distinguished political career. A veteran of the BJP, he has been associated with the party for decades, serving as the Tamil Nadu state president from 2003 to 2006. He was also a two-time Member of Parliament, representing the Coimbatore constituency in the Lok Sabha in 1998 and 1999.

In recent years, Radhakrishnan has held several key gubernatorial posts, demonstrating his wide-ranging administrative experience. He was appointed the Governor of Maharashtra on July 31, 2024. Prior to this, he served as the Governor of Jharkhand from February 2023 to July 2024. His portfolio also included additional charges as the Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, showcasing his diverse responsibilities.

The announcement comes after the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a notice on August 7, outlining the schedule for the Vice Presidential election. The election is slated to be held on September 9, and the ECI notice provides specific dates for the nomination process and candidature withdrawals, setting the stage for the formal electoral process to begin.

Radhakrishnan’s nomination as the NDA candidate is a significant development, especially given his background from a Southern state. His political journey, from a state-level leader and two-time MP to a multi-state Governor, highlights his deep connections and diverse experience. His selection is seen as a move by the ruling alliance to ensure a candidate with a strong track record and a well-respected political standing across different regions of India.