CP Radhakrishnan elected as new Vice President of India, Sudershan Reddy highlights Opposition unity
CP Radhakrishnan elected as new Vice President of India after a decisive victory over opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy in the 2025 Vice Presidential elections. Backed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Radhakrishnan secured 452 votes, while Reddy, fielded by the INDIA bloc, garnered 300 votes.
The results were announced by Returning Officer and Rajya Sabha Secretary-General PC Mody, who confirmed that a total of 767 MPs cast their votes out of 781, marking a high voter turnout of 98.2 percent. Out of these, 752 ballots were declared valid, while 15 were invalid. The required majority stood at 377 votes, comfortably crossed by the NDA nominee.
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A landmark victory for NDA
With this victory, the 67-year-old leader became the 15th Vice President of India and the third leader from Tamil Nadu to occupy this constitutional position. Radhakrishnan, currently serving as Maharashtra’s Governor, was officially announced as the winner soon after the counting concluded.
The election was necessitated following the resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21. The voting process, which took place between 10 am and 5 pm, saw enthusiastic participation from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members. According to Congress, nearly 315 opposition MPs turned up to cast their votes, showcasing a strong show of unity despite the loss.
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Who is CP Radhakrishnan?
Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, born on 20 October 1957 in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, has had a long political journey. He began his public life through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the age of 16 before entering active politics through the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1974. He later became an influential leader within the BJP, serving two terms as a Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore.
During his time in Parliament, Radhakrishnan chaired the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Textiles and contributed to key committees including Public Sector Undertakings and Finance. He was also a member of the Parliamentary Special Committee that investigated the Stock Exchange Scam and even addressed the UN General Assembly in 2004 as part of a Parliamentary delegation.
As BJP’s Tamil Nadu State President between 2004 and 2007, he undertook a 93-day, 19,000-km Rath Yatra demanding the linking of rivers, eradication of terrorism, removal of untouchability, and stricter laws against narcotics.
A political strategist with global exposure
Apart from his political career, Radhakrishnan has traveled extensively across the world, visiting nations such as the USA, UK, Germany, France, Japan, and Singapore. His international exposure has often been cited as an asset in strengthening India’s representation abroad.
Belonging to the OBC Gounder-Kongu Vellalar community, Radhakrishnan’s selection as NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate was viewed as a strategic move to consolidate OBC support in Tamil Nadu, where the BJP has been working to expand its base.
Sudershan Reddy’s challenge and Opposition’s message
His opponent, former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy, was backed by the INDIA bloc. Though defeated, Reddy’s candidature underlined the opposition’s attempt to put up a united front in the current political landscape. Experts say his campaign reflected the bloc’s determination to challenge the NDA, even in contests where the ruling alliance held a clear numerical advantage.
What lies ahead
Radhakrishnan’s election marks a new phase for Indian politics as he takes over the second-highest constitutional office. With decades of experience, RSS roots, and BJP’s trust, his role as Vice President will be closely watched — especially as he presides over the Rajya Sabha, where critical debates and legislations will shape the country’s future.
As India welcomes CP Radhakrishnan in his new role, the election has reaffirmed NDA’s numerical dominance while also spotlighting the growing coordination among opposition parties.
