Radhakrishnan vs Sudershan Reddy: Vice President Election 2025 to Decide India’s Next VP Today
Radhakrishnan vs Sudershan Reddy is the focus of today’s Vice President election as members of Parliament cast their votes to elect India’s 15th Vice President. The contest comes two months after the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, leaving the second-highest constitutional post vacant.
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Who Are the Candidates?
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has fielded CP Radhakrishnan, the current Governor of Maharashtra, as its candidate. A veteran leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Radhakrishnan previously served as a two-time Member of Parliament from Coimbatore during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister. He also held the position of Jharkhand Governor before assuming charge in Maharashtra in July 2024.
On the other side, the opposition INDIA bloc has nominated Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, a respected jurist and former Supreme Court judge. Justice Reddy, who served in the apex court from 2007 to 2011, is widely remembered for landmark rulings, including his decision declaring the controversial Salwa Judum initiative unconstitutional. He also briefly served as Goa’s first Lokayukta before stepping down citing personal reasons.
When and Where is the Election?
The Vice Presidential election is taking place today, September 9, 2025, at Room No. F-101, Vasudha, Parliament House. Voting begins at 10 am and continues until 5 pm. Results will be announced later the same evening.
The election is being conducted under the supervision of Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody, who is serving as the returning officer.
Who Gets to Vote?
The Vice President is chosen by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament. This includes 233 elected and 12 nominated members of the Rajya Sabha, along with 543 elected members of the Lok Sabha, making a total strength of 788.
Currently, with vacancies in six Rajya Sabha seats and one Lok Sabha seat, the effective voting strength is 781. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be the first to cast his vote, followed by MPs from Punjab and Haryana.
Who Supports Whom?
The NDA candidate, CP Radhakrishnan, enjoys broad backing from BJP allies such as JD(U), TDP, Shiv Sena, NCP, and others. With a strong majority in both houses, the NDA appears well-positioned to secure victory.
Meanwhile, Justice Sudershan Reddy is supported by opposition parties including Congress, DMK, RJD, JMM, Trinamool Congress, Left parties, and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction. Other parties like AAP and AIMIM have also pledged support to him.
Some regional parties, including BRS (Bharat Rashtra Samithi), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and Shiromani Akali Dal, have announced that they will abstain from voting.
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The Numbers Game
The majority mark required to win the Vice Presidential election is 391 votes. With the BJP commanding 293 seats in the Lok Sabha and 129 in the Rajya Sabha, the NDA holds the support of around 422 MPs—comfortably crossing the victory threshold. This suggests the result may tilt in favor of CP Radhakrishnan, though the opposition is determined to mount a strong challenge.
Role, Salary, and Perks of the Vice President
The Vice President of India is also the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and the salary is drawn from this position. The Rajya Sabha Chairman receives ₹4 lakh per month, along with several perks such as official accommodation, free travel, medical care, communication facilities, personal staff, and security.
While the Vice President does not receive a separate salary for holding the constitutional office, the privileges and allowances associated with the role make it one of the most prestigious positions in the country.
The Radhakrishnan vs Sudershan Reddy contest marks a significant political moment as India elects its 15th Vice President. While the NDA’s numerical advantage gives CP Radhakrishnan a clear edge, the opposition’s spirited campaign ensures a closely watched electoral battle in Parliament. The official results will be declared later today.
