Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan was elected India’s 15th Vice President today, succeeding Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned citing health reasons. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate defeated his rival, B. Sudershan Reddy from the INDIA bloc, by securing 452 votes against Reddy’s 300 in a secret ballot conducted among Members of Parliament (MPs).
Who is C.P. Radhakrishnan?
Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, known as C.P. Radhakrishnan, was born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India’s knitwear hub. His political journey began as a young RSS swayamsevak and continued when he joined the Jan Sangh at 17. He later became a founding member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu in 1980.
Radhakrishnan is widely respected for his deep organizational experience and legislative work. He served as the State BJP President in Tamil Nadu from 2004 to 2007 and represented Coimbatore in the Lok Sabha twice during 1998 and 1999. His parliamentary career included chairing key committees such as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Textiles and contributing to the Finance and PSU panels. He also represented India at the United Nations General Assembly in 2004.
Parliamentary and Administrative Career
Before being elected Vice President, Radhakrishnan held important gubernatorial roles. He served as Governor of Jharkhand (2023–24) and held additional charges as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. Most recently, he was appointed Governor of Maharashtra in July 2024.
A highlight of his political career was the massive Rath Yatra in Tamil Nadu, covering 19,000 km in 93 days to raise awareness about social and developmental issues. His reputation for integrity and commitment to development earned him the nickname “Vajpayee of Coimbatore.”
How is the Vice President of India Elected?
The Vice President of India is elected by Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, as per Article 66 of the Indian Constitution. The election is conducted through a secret ballot under the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote, ensuring a fair and representative outcome. Each MP marks their preferred candidate by writing ‘1’ against the name of the candidate of their choice. Unlike the Presidential election, state legislators do not vote in the Vice Presidential election, and only elected and nominated MPs participate. The Vice President holds the second-highest constitutional office in India and serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
In this election, Radhakrishnan won a decisive victory with 452 out of 767 valid preferential votes, while his opponent secured 300 votes. The election saw a record turnout of over 98%, with some cross-voting reported from opposition ranks.
C.P. Radhakrishnan, as Vice President, will serve as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, a key constitutional position responsible for maintaining parliamentary decorum and ensuring smooth legislative proceedings. He is the third leader from Tamil Nadu to hold the Vice President’s office and belongs to the OBC Goundar-Kongu Vellalar community.
FAQs
Who is C.P. Radhakrishnan?
C.P. Radhakrishnan is India’s 15th Vice President, a veteran politician from Tamil Nadu with over four decades of public service. He previously served as Governor of Maharashtra and held key roles in the BJP and Parliament.
How was C.P. Radhakrishnan elected as Vice President?
He was elected by Members of Parliament (MPs) through a secret ballot, receiving 452 votes against his opponent B. Sudershan Reddy’s 300, with over 98% turnout.
What role does the Vice President of India play?
The Vice President serves as the second-highest constitutional authority and chairs the Rajya Sabha, ensuring smooth parliamentary proceedings and upholding decorum.
What is C.P. Radhakrishnan known for?
He is known for his grassroots political work, strong organizational skills, and being a disciplined administrator. He is often called the “Vajpayee of Coimbatore” for his statesmanlike conduct.
Why was the Vice Presidential election held now?
The election was held after the previous Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, stepped down due to health reasons, leaving the position vacant for over a month.