New Delhi, September 9, 2025 – Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, a veteran leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the current Governor of Maharashtra, has been elected as the 15th Vice President of India. Radhakrishnan secured a decisive victory in the vice-presidential election held today, defeating the opposition INDIA bloc’s candidate, former Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, with 452 first-preference votes against Reddy’s 300. The election, conducted in the Parliament House, saw a 98.2% voter turnout, with 767 out of 788 eligible Members of Parliament casting their votes. Of these, 752 votes were valid, and 15 were declared invalid.
The election was necessitated by the unexpected resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, 2025, who cited health reasons for stepping down. Dhankhar’s resignation, which came amid political turbulence, marked the end of his tenure that began in August 2022. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, nominated Radhakrishnan, a seasoned politician with deep roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and a two-term Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore. His candidacy was seen as a strategic move by the NDA, especially with upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, his home state.
Radhakrishnan’s victory was celebrated across the NDA, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating him, stating, “Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji has rich experience as MP and Governor of various states. His Parliamentary interventions were always incisive. I am confident he will be an inspiring Vice President.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah also praised Radhakrishnan’s grassroots experience and administrative acumen, expressing confidence that he would uphold the sanctity of the Rajya Sabha, where the Vice President serves as the ex-officio Chairman.
The opposition INDIA bloc, despite fielding a strong candidate in Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, acknowledged the numerical disadvantage, with their 315 MPs falling short of the required 391 votes for a majority in the 781-member electoral college. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge extended congratulations to Radhakrishnan while commending Reddy for his “spirited and principled fight,” framing the election as an “ideological battle” to protect parliamentary democracy. Reddy, in his concession statement, emphasized the importance of defending the Constitution and maintaining the dignity of parliamentary traditions.
The election saw notable abstentions, with 13 MPs, including seven from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), four from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), one from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and one independent, choosing not to vote. The BJD and BRS announced their abstention in advance, while the SAD cited dissatisfaction with the central and state governments’ handling of flood-related issues in Punjab as their reason for boycotting the poll.
Radhakrishnan, known for his soft-spoken and non-confrontational style, is expected to bring his extensive legislative and administrative experience to the role. As Vice President, he will oversee the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha and play a critical role in maintaining parliamentary decorum. His five-year term begins immediately, and he is set to be sworn in as Vice President in the coming days.
Political analysts attribute the NDA’s victory to effective floor management and outreach led by senior leaders like Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Celebrations erupted outside Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s residence in Delhi following the announcement of the results, with Prime Minister Modi expected to meet Radhakrishnan to mark the occasion.
The new Vice President’s election comes at a pivotal time as India navigates complex domestic and international challenges. Radhakrishnan’s leadership is anticipated to strengthen parliamentary traditions and contribute to the nation’s progress as it moves toward the vision of a “Viksit Bharat”.