NDA's C.P. Radhakrishnan Files Nomination for Vice President

20 August, 2025

C.P. Radhakrishnan, the candidate for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has officially filed his nomination papers for the Vice-Presidential election. He was accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior coalition leaders. Radhakrishnan, the current Governor of Maharashtra, will contest against the opposition's candidate, B. Sudarshan Reddy. His election to the country's second-highest constitutional office is considered a certainty given the NDA's majority in the electoral college.

Unpacked:

Why is the Vice Presidential election being held now?

The election is being held because the previous Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, resigned from his position last month, creating a vacancy that must be filled as per constitutional requirements. The Election Commission scheduled the vote for September 9, 2025.

What is C.P. Radhakrishnan’s political background?

C.P. Radhakrishnan is a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, twice elected to the Lok Sabha, former state BJP president, and has served as Governor of Jharkhand and Maharashtra. He began his political career in the RSS and Jan Sangh in the 1970s.

How is the Vice President of India elected, and why is the NDA’s majority significant?

The Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both Houses of Parliament. Since the NDA currently holds a majority in Parliament, their candidate, Radhakrishnan, is virtually assured of victory unless there is significant cross-voting.

Who is B. Sudarshan Reddy, and what is his background?

B. Sudarshan Reddy is the opposition’s candidate for Vice President. While this summary does not provide his detailed background, he is likely a prominent figure chosen to represent the opposition, but faces long odds due to the NDA’s numerical advantage.