NDA Candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan Elected as India's 15th Vice President

9 September, 2025

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan has been elected as India's next Vice President. The former Governor of Maharashtra defeated the joint opposition candidate, retired Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy, by securing 452 votes to Reddy's 300. Radhakrishnan, a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, will also serve as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The election was necessitated by the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar in July due to health reasons.

Unpacked:

What is the political background and experience of C.P. Radhakrishnan?

C.P. Radhakrishnan has been active in politics since the 1970s, starting with the RSS and Jan Sangh, later joining BJP. He served as a two-term MP from Coimbatore, chaired key parliamentary committees, was BJP Tamil Nadu president, and held governorships in Jharkhand, Telangana, Puducherry, and Maharashtra before becoming Vice President.

What are the main responsibilities of the Vice President of India and the Rajya Sabha Chairman?

The Vice President is India's second-highest constitutional office, acting as President if needed. As ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House), he presides over its sessions, ensures orderly conduct, and has a casting vote in case of a tie.

Who was the previous Vice President, and why did he resign?

Jagdeep Dhankhar was the previous Vice President. He resigned in July 2025 due to health reasons, which necessitated the special election for his replacement.

What is the significance of Radhakrishnan’s victory margin in this election?

Radhakrishnan won by a margin of 152 votes (452 to 300), indicating strong support from the NDA and its allies, reflecting the current parliamentary strength and political influence of the ruling coalition over the opposition.

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