NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan elected as 15th Vice President of India

In a resounding affirmation of the NDA's parliamentary dominance, veteran BJP leader and Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan was elected as India's 15th Vice President today just a moents ago, clinching 452 votes against opposition INDIA bloc candidate Justice B. Sudershan Reddy's 300 in a poll triggered by the unexpected resignation of incumbent Jagdeep Dhankhar due to health concerns. The secret ballot, conducted within the hallowed halls of Parliament House in New Delhi, saw over 98% turnout from the 781-member electoral college comprising MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, with voting kicking off at 10 AM and counting wrapping up late evening under the watchful eye of Returning Officer P.C. Mody, Rajya Sabha Secretary General.

CP Radhakrishnan, a 68-year-old RSS pracharak from Tamil Nadu's Kongu Vellalar community, edged out expectations of a closer contest, securing a comfortable majority that reflects the BJP-led alliance's iron grip on numbers while underscoring the opposition's unity in fielding a judicial heavyweight. This election, the first mid-term vice presidential poll since 1987, not only fills a constitutional vacancy but also sets the stage for Radhakrishnan to assume the Rajya Sabha chairmanship, a role where his low-key demeanor and administrative acumen could navigate the chamber's often stormy sessions.

As confetti fell and cheers echoed, the win symbolizes continuity for the NDA's vision of a 'Viksit Bharat,' blending regional representation from the south with ideological roots in the saffron fold.The path to this moment began on August 17, 2025, when BJP president J.P. Nadda unveiled Radhakrishnan as the NDA's nominee during a parliamentary board meeting attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, swiftly garnering endorsements from allies like TDP, JD(U), Shiv Sena, NCP, and even non-NDA parties such as YSRCP and AIADMK. Born in 1957 in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan's journey from a grassroots RSS swayamsevak to two-time Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore (1998 and 1999) under Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure showcased his organizational prowess, including a 93-day rath yatra across Tamil Nadu advocating river linking and anti-terrorism causes. His stints as Tamil Nadu BJP state president (2004-2006), Coir Board chairman (2016-2020)—where exports hit record highs—and governor of Jharkhand (2023-2024) before Maharashtra painted him as a dedicated administrator with a clean image, often described by peers as "decent, friendly, and unassuming." Filing nomination on August 20 amid Modi and senior cabinet ministers, Radhakrishnan's campaign emphasized national unity, declaring the poll a "victory for Indian nationalism" and pledging to foster a developed India.

On the other side, the INDIA bloc rallied behind 79-year-old Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, a retired Supreme Court judge from Telangana known for bold rulings like deeming Chhattisgarh's Salwa Judum unconstitutional and critiquing government laxity in black money probes. Reddy's nomination, announced to symbolize constitutional integrity, aimed to peel away "conscience votes" from NDA ranks, with leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Supriya Sule urging MPs to prioritize neutrality over party lines. Voting commenced with Modi casting the first ballot, followed by a steady stream of parliamentarians—over 700 in total—amid mock polls to avoid invalidations, a precaution after past errors. The process, secret and weighted equally per MP, unfolded smoothly, with no major glitches reported, though opposition figures like DK Shivakumar voiced hopes for a principled upset despite the numerical disparity. As ballots were sealed post-5 PM, anticipation built, with NDA confident of crossing 450 while INDIA eyed a respectable tally to bolster bloc solidarity ahead of state elections.

Counting at 6 PM revealed Radhakrishnan's lead early on, surging past the halfway mark as NDA's 422 core votes held firm, augmented by crossovers. Reddy's 300 fell short of projections, marking him as a high-polling loser akin to past opposition efforts, yet highlighting INDIA's cohesion. The result, declared a moments back, prompted jubilant scenes in NDA camps, with Modi hailing Radhakrishnan's "wisdom and insights" on social media. For the victor, the win caps a career of quiet service, from protesting RSS activist assaults in 2012 to promoting TB eradication as governor. Swearing-in is slated soon, positioning him as ex-officio Rajya Sabha head—a chamber where his affable style might ease tensions, unlike Dhankhar's assertive phase that saw frequent adjournments.