Senior BJP leader and former Tamil Nadu state president CP Radhakrishnan has been elected as the Vice President of India. Contesting as the NDA candidate, he defeated Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy, the joint nominee of the INDIA bloc, with a comfortable majority. This marks another significant political victory for the NDA alliance.
Key Highlights of the Election
- Date of Election: September 9, 2025
- Total Votes Polled: 767 out of 781 MPs (98.2% turnout)
- Result:
- CP Radhakrishnan (NDA) – 452 votes
- Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy (INDIA bloc) – 300 votes
- Majority: Radhakrishnan won by 152 votes.
This was the first early Vice Presidential election since 1987, held after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post.
Why Radhakrishnan’s Win is Important
- Political Strength for NDA – With this victory, the NDA now firmly holds both the President and Vice President’s posts in India.
- RSS Background – Radhakrishnan is known for his RSS roots and non-confrontational political approach.
- Opposition Setback – Several INDIA bloc partners like BJD, BRS, and SAD stayed away from voting, weakening Sudarshan Reddy’s chances.
Profile of CP Radhakrishnan
- Full Name: Chinnasamy Palanisamy Radhakrishnan
- Political Background: Two-time Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore, senior BJP leader, and ex-Tamil Nadu party chief.
- Governorship: Served as the Governor of Jharkhand before being nominated as NDA’s VP candidate.
- Known For: Grassroots political work, calm leadership style, and close association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
What Experts Say
Analysts believe this result strengthens the BJP-led NDA’s political dominance, ensuring smoother functioning in Rajya Sabha, where the Vice President presides as the Chairman. The comfortable margin also reflects cracks within the opposition INDIA bloc.
