New Delhi: C.P. Radhakrishnan, the outgoing Governor of Maharashtra, has been officially elected as the 15th Vice President of India. In the election held on September 9, Radhakrishnan secured 452 first-preference votes, defeating the INDIA bloc’s nominee, former Supreme Court Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes. Out of 767 votes cast, 752 were valid and 15 invalid.
Following his victory, leaders across political lines offered their congratulations. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Union Minister Piyush Goyal commended Radhakrishnan on his exemplary public service and ethical leadership.
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Earlier, as Governor of Maharashtra, Radhakrishnan had stirred controversy by forwarding the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill 2024—targeting urban Naxalism and left-wing extremism—to President Droupadi Murmu for assent, citing potential constitutional conflicts.
Background & Significance
- Political Journey: Born on May 4, 1957, in Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan has served extensively across the political spectrum. A longtime RSS and BJP functionary, he served as a two-term Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore (1998, 1999), and held the BJP Tamil Nadu presidency from 2004 to 2007.
- Gubernatorial Roles: Appointed Governor of Jharkhand in February 2023, he later took additional charge as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. He assumed the office of Governor of Maharashtra on July 31, 2024.
- Broader Reach: His nomination as Vice President was seen as a strategic move by the BJP to bolster its presence in southern India—particularly in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra—leveraging Radhakrishnan’s appeal across linguistic and regional lines.
What Lies Ahead
- Radhakrishnan will be sworn in as Vice President in the coming days, taking over the role of Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, and serving as Acting President if needed.
- His presidency as Vice President is expected to emphasize cooperative federalism, a theme he has steadily promoted.
- While largely ceremonial, his tenure could shape parliamentary discourse and federal dynamics significantly.
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Summary Table
| Role | Term & Highlights |
| Governor of Maharashtra | July 2024 – Sept 2025; referred a contentious security bill to the President |
| Vice President of India | Elected Sept 9, 2025; won with 452 votes vs. 300 |
| Political Background | Ex-MP from Coimbatore, BJP state president (TN), seasoned RSS association |
| Strategic Significance | Strengthens BJP outreach into South India; respected as conciliatory and disciplined |
