Post by : Raman

Photo : PTI

On Tuesday, CP Radhakrishnan was elected as the 15th Vice President of India. He won the election by a big margin. Radhakrishnan was the choice of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He defeated the opposition candidate, B Sudershan Reddy, who is a former Supreme Court judge.

Clear Victory in Numbers

In the election, 767 Members of Parliament (MPs) out of 781 voted. The voter turnout was very high at 98.2%. Out of all the votes cast, 752 were valid and 15 were invalid. CP Radhakrishnan received 452 votes, while B Sudershan Reddy got 300 votes. The minimum number of votes needed to win was 377, so Radhakrishnan comfortably crossed that number.

This result was bigger than what the BJP expected. The party had hoped for about 440 votes, but Radhakrishnan secured 452. Some political leaders said that several opposition MPs voted in favor of Radhakrishnan or cast invalid votes, which showed that not all opposition members voted as their party asked.

Who Is CP Radhakrishnan?

Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan is a senior politician from Tamil Nadu. He is 67 years old and has been active in politics for many years. He started his political work with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) when he was just 16 years old. Later, he became part of the Jana Sangh and then the BJP.

Radhakrishnan served as a Member of Parliament from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu during 1998 and 1999. He is known for being soft-spoken and calm. His new role as Vice President will also make him the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India’s Parliament.

Why Is This Victory Important?

This election is important for several reasons. First, it shows the strength of the BJP-led NDA alliance in Parliament. The NDA had 427 MPs, plus support from other parties like the YSR Congress (11 MPs). Smaller parties also supported Radhakrishnan.

Second, this is the third time a person from Tamil Nadu is elected Vice President of India. Tamil Nadu is a key state in India’s politics, and the BJP wants to do better there, especially ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections. The BJP hopes this win will help them build more support in the state.

Another important point is that CP Radhakrishnan belongs to the OBC Gounder community. This community holds political influence, especially in Tamil Nadu. His election is seen as a way to strengthen BJP’s connection with the OBC voters.

Reaction and Future Impact

Many political leaders said the election was free and fair. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that many opposition MPs voted for Radhakrishnan because they followed their own conscience.

Opposition leader Jairam Ramesh said that the opposition’s performance was “respectable,” even though their candidate did not win. He explained that B Sudershan Reddy got 40% of the valid votes.

Experts say this election also shows a change in BJP’s strategy. In the previous term, the Vice President was Jagdeep Dhankhar, known for arguing a lot with the opposition. But now, BJP chose a quiet and experienced leader. This change is called a “course correction.”

Political analysts also see this as a smart political move. With Tamil Nadu going to assembly polls next year, having a Vice President from the state helps BJP gain political strength. It may help the party in its future elections.

CP Radhakrishnan’s election as Vice President of India is more than just a political victory. It shows that democracy is working, as MPs voted based on their thinking. His strong background and calm personality will help him lead the Rajya Sabha well.

This win is also important for the BJP and its allies as they work to strengthen their political presence across India, especially in Tamil Nadu. As Vice President, Radhakrishnan will now play an important role in guiding parliamentary discussions and making sure laws are debated properly.

CP Radhakrishnan, Vice President of India, India Vice President Election, NDA Victory