CP Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee, has been elected as the 15th Vice President of India, securing a decisive victory in a closely watched election. Radhakrishnan, a seasoned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and the current Governor of Maharashtra, garnered 452 first preference votes, defeating the opposition INDIA bloc’s candidate, former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes. The election, held on Tuesday, saw a high voter turnout, with 15 votes declared invalid, according to Returning Officer and Rajya Sabha Secretary-General PC Mody.
The vice-presidential election was necessitated following the unexpected resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in July 2025, citing health concerns. The electoral college, comprising 781 eligible Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, cast their votes in a secret ballot at the Parliament House between 10 AM and 5 PM. With a remarkable 98.3% turnout, 767 MPs participated, reflecting strong engagement in the process. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to cast his vote, setting the tone for a high-stakes contest.
Radhakrishnan’s victory, with a margin of 152 votes, underscores the NDA’s numerical strength in Parliament, bolstered by support from allies such as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (United), Shiv Sena, and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). The opposition INDIA bloc, including parties like Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and Trinamool Congress (TMC), rallied behind Reddy but fell short despite a spirited campaign. Notably, regional parties such as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) abstained from voting, citing local issues and their intent to maintain neutrality.
Hailing from Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, CP Radhakrishnan, a two-time Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore and a former president of the Tamil Nadu BJP, Radhakrishnan has been a prominent figure in the party’s southern strategy. His political journey began with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and he has held key roles, including Governor of Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Radhakrishnan’s election marks a historic moment, as he becomes the second Vice President from Tamil Nadu, following the legendary S. Radhakrishnan.
Celebrations erupted in Radhakrishnan’s hometown of Tiruppur, where supporters set up food stalls, burst firecrackers, and offered prayers in temples. Prime Minister Modi congratulated the Vice President-elect, praising his dedication to public service. “Congratulations to Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji on winning the 2025 Vice Presidential election. His life has always been devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalised. I am confident that he will be an outstanding VP, who will strengthen our Constitutional values and enhance Parliamentary discourse”, PM Narendra Modi posted on ‘X’
