NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan elected India’s 15th Vice President in decisive victory
Veteran BJP Leader Defeats Opposition’s B Sudershan Reddy by 152 Votes; Election Highlights Unity in INDIA Bloc Amid Numerical Disadvantage.
NewsArc Bureau
New Delhi – In a straightforward affirmation of the ruling National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) parliamentary strength, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan was elected as India’s 15th Vice President on September 9, 2025, securing 452 first-preference votes against the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc’s candidate, former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes. The margin of 152 votes underscores the NDA’s commanding majority in both houses of Parliament, following the unexpected resignation of incumbent Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 due to health concerns, which truncated his term originally set to end on August 10, 2027.
The election, held simultaneously in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha chambers, saw polling commence at 10 AM and conclude at 5 PM, with counting beginning shortly after 6 PM. Radhakrishnan, an Other Backward Class (OBC) leader from the Goundar-Kongu Vellalar community with deep roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), crossed the required majority threshold of 391 votes comfortably, reflecting the NDA’s numerical edge of approximately 427 supporters across both houses. BJP MP Mayank Nayak expressed confidence in the outcome, stating that Radhakrishnan’s victory would bring a leader “committed to the country’s development.”
Voting Dynamics and Key Absences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast the first vote of the day at Parliament House, setting the tone for a high-profile turnout that included prominent figures like Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Notably, jailed Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, was escorted from Tihar Jail to vote, while former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda arrived in a wheelchair, and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge was assisted by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
“Congratulations to Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji on winning the 2025 Vice Presidential election. His life has always been devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalised. I am confident that he will be an outstanding VP, who will strengthen our Constitutional values and enhance Parliamentary discourse,” Modi wrote on X after the results
However, several MPs opted out, impacting the final tally. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) with four Rajya Sabha members and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) with seven abstained entirely, while Punjab’s Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), represented by a single Lok Sabha MP, boycotted due to ongoing floods in the state. Independent MPs from Punjab, including Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa from Faridkot and Amritpal Singh from Khadoor Sahib, also boycotted the poll. Congress had anticipated 315 votes from the INDIA bloc but fell short by 15, a point highlighted by party leader Jairam Ramesh, who described the performance as “respectable” and a 14% improvement over the opposition’s 26% share in the 2022 election.
Both alliances conducted pre-poll training sessions on September 7-8 for NDA and September 8 for INDIA to guide MPs on marking ballots correctly—using a special pen for first-preference votes only, to avoid invalidation as seen in past polls (11 invalid in 2017, 15 in 2022). Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi claimed some NDA members might cross-vote for Reddy due to his constitutional commitment, though this did not materialize significantly.
Candidates’ Profiles and Reactions
Radhakrishnan, 78, brings a wealth of experience as Governor of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Kerala, and as a long-time BJP organizer. NDA spokesperson Chirag Paswan asserted there was “no doubt” about his victory, emphasizing the alliance’s focus on a “developed India.” Post-win celebrations erupted outside BJP offices in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan’s home state.
Reddy, 72, a retired Andhra Pradesh High Court chief justice and Supreme Court judge, represented the opposition’s push for judicial integrity. In his first reaction, he urged voters to follow their “inner voice,” expressing optimism but acknowledging the numerical gap. Congress accused YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy of betrayal for supporting the NDA candidate, labeling it a fear-driven move amid CBI probes. Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav quipped that Dhankhar would only reappear after the new VP’s swearing-in, critiquing BJP’s “use and throw” politics.
Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora noted that some Maharashtra MPs voted based on character rather than party lines, praising Radhakrishnan’s background. Former MP Shrikant Jena accused BJD of indirectly aiding BJP by abstaining.
Historical Context and Implications
This election marks the seventh instance of a mid-term Vice Presidential poll due to resignation. Historically, four have been uncontested, including those of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1952, 1957). The largest margin was in 1992 when KR Narayanan won with 700 votes against one. Compared to recent polls, the NDA’s 2022 win (346-vote margin for Dhankhar) was narrower than this one, while the opposition’s improved showing signals growing cohesion.
Radhakrishnan’s election, as NDA’s polling agents Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha oversaw, reinforces the alliance’s dominance ahead of future challenges. As Rajya Sabha Chairman, he will play a pivotal role in legislative proceedings, with the opposition viewing the result as a “moral defeat” for the BJP despite the numbers. The swearing-in is expected soon, closing a chapter opened by Dhankhar’s abrupt exit.
