CP Radhakrishnan Elected as India’s Next Vice-President
Opposition count hints at cross-voting in V-P polls......
New Delhi : Maharashtra Governor and NDA nominee Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan (68) has been elected as the 15th Vice-President of India, defeating joint Opposition candidate and former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy by a margin of 152 votes.
Radhakrishnan, a veteran RSS member, secured 452 of the 752 valid votes, while Reddy received 300. Of the 781 electors, 767 MPs cast their votes, recording a turnout of 98.2%. Rajya Sabha Secretary General and Returning Officer PC Mody declared the results, noting that 15 votes were invalid.
The outcome sparked discussions on cross-voting, as the Opposition INDIA bloc, which claimed the backing of 315 MPs, fell short by 15 votes. Meanwhile, the NDA crossed its expected tally of 427 votes, ultimately gaining 25 more. Despite the victory, Radhakrishnan’s margin was significantly lower than his predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar, who won in 2022 with a record 528 votes.
Radhakrishnan’s election holds historical significance as he becomes the first OBC leader from South India to assume the role of Vice-President. Notably, eight of India’s 15 Vice-Presidents have hailed from the southern states. His swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for September 12, 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Radhakrishnan on his victory, describing him as a leader devoted to empowering the poor and marginalised. President Droupadi Murmu and former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar also extended their greetings.
The election was conducted through a secret ballot at the new Parliament building, with no party whip issued. PM Modi cast the first vote. Twelve MPs from the BRS, BJD, and Akali Dal abstained, while two MPs were absent.
After the results, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh maintained that the Opposition had shown remarkable unity, calling the BJP’s win “a moral and political defeat.” Reddy also accepted the outcome gracefully, stating that democracy is strengthened through dialogue, dissent, and participation, regardless of victory or defeat.
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