In a clear victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan was elected the 15th Vice President of India on Monday, defeating opposition nominee and retired Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudershan Reddy by a wide margin.
Radhakrishnan secured 452 votes, well above the required majority of 377 in the electoral college comprised of 780 Members of Parliament from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Justice Reddy, backed by the opposition INDIA bloc, polled 300 votes, while 15 ballots were declared invalid, triggering speculation of cross-voting and internal dissent within the opposition alliance.
The election, held earlier in the day in Parliament House, saw 767 MPs cast their votes, with a turnout of over 98%. The results were officially declared by P.C. Mody, Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha and the Returning Officer.
A Veteran from Tamil Nadu
At 67, Radhakrishnan brings decades of public service to the role. A two-time Member of Parliament from Coimbatore, he is known for his long-standing association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and his reputation for discipline, simplicity, and administrative acumen.
With this win, he becomes the third leader from Tamil Nadu to hold the office of Vice President, after R. Venkataraman and M. Venkaiah Naidu. His nomination and election are being seen as a strategic move by the BJP to consolidate support in southern India, where the party has been actively working to expand its footprint.
National Leaders React
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Radhakrishnan, calling him “a dedicated public servant whose commitment to nation-building and the welfare of the underprivileged has been unwavering.”
President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her greetings and was confident that his “wealth of experience and calm leadership” would uphold the dignity and constitutional responsibilities of the Vice President’s office.
Leaders from Maharashtra, where Radhakrishnan currently serves as Governor, expressed pride in his elevation. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar praised his administrative record. Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the victory reflects the “nation’s faith in quiet, value-based leadership.”
Opposition Faces Setback
The INDIA bloc, which had projected the Vice Presidential contest as an ideological battle against the NDA, faced an embarrassing setback. Despite claims of complete unity, Justice Reddy’s vote count fell short of expectations, highlighting cracks within the alliance and raising questions about cohesion ahead of the 2026 general elections.
In his post-result statement, Justice Reddy congratulated Radhakrishnan and said: “This is a moment to reaffirm our faith in democratic values. The struggle for constitutional ideals, justice, and federalism will continue with greater resolve.”
Several opposition leaders, speaking off record, acknowledged the possibility of cross-voting, while others blamed a lack of coordination and mixed messaging within the alliance.
Responsibilities Ahead
Radhakrishnan is expected to be sworn in later this month, succeeding Jagdeep Dhankhar, whose tenure concludes soon. As Vice President, he will serve as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, responsible for presiding over sessions of the Upper House and ensuring legislative proceedings in an orderly manner.
His tenure begins at a critical time, as Parliament prepares for a high-stakes winter session, with several contentious bills on the agenda and political tensions running high in the lead-up to the 2026 Lok Sabha elections.
A Quiet, Yet Strategic Shift
“This win is both a political message and a structural shift,” said political commentator Ruchi Sharma. “The BJP is showing it can elevate second-rung leaders with clean images and regional roots, while the opposition still struggles to align beyond symbolism.”
Political analysts view Radhakrishnan’s victory as not only a numerical success but also a symbolic assertion of the BJP’s evolving strategy, promoting leaders from non-Hindi-speaking states, rewarding loyalty over limelight, and projecting a narrative of quiet, grounded leadership.
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