CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA’s vice-presidential candidate, won the Vice President of India election 2025 on Tuesday, securing a decisive victory over Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy. With a margin of 152 votes, Radhakrishnan crossed the required 391-vote mark, receiving 452 first preference votes, according to Rajya Sabha Secretary-General PC Mody.
The vice-presidential elections 2025 saw active participation from members across both houses of Parliament. Voting commenced at 10 AM and concluded by 5 PM, with counting beginning at 6 PM. Out of the 781 parliamentary members—including 542 Lok Sabha MPs (with one vacancy) and 239 Rajya Sabha MPs (with five vacancies)—315 opposition MPs participated in the voting. Justice Sudershan Reddy, the opposition candidate, received 300 first preference votes.
Who is CP Radhakrishnan?
CP Radhakrishnan, known for his soft-spoken and non-confrontational nature, was serving as the Governor of Maharashtra when nominated by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the vice-presidential elections. His election comes nearly two months after the resignation of former VP Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons.
Radhakrishnan has a distinguished political career. He is a two-term Member of Parliament from Coimbatore during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure. He had once been considered for a Union Minister position in 1998 but lost out to fellow Tamil leader Pon Radhakrishnan due to a naming confusion by the BJP’s floor managers at that time.
Significance of the Victory
CP Radhakrishnan’s election as Vice President of India 2025 strengthens the NDA’s position in Parliament, providing continuity and stability in the Rajya Sabha where the Vice President serves as the Chairperson. His reputation for being approachable and cooperative is expected to contribute to smooth parliamentary proceedings.
The victory also marks a significant moment in Tamil Nadu politics, as Radhakrishnan becomes one of the prominent Tamil leaders to hold a constitutional post at the national level. His tenure is expected to be guided by principled governance, impartiality, and dedication to parliamentary democracy.
Vice Presidential Elections Overview
The Vice President of India is elected by members of both houses of Parliament. Unlike the presidential election, state legislators do not participate. The candidate must secure more than 50% of valid votes to win, with first preference votes playing a crucial role in the counting process.
With his decisive victory in the Vice Presidential elections 2025, CP Radhakrishnan officially becomes India’s new Vice President, taking over from Jagdeep Dhankhar. As the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, he will play a crucial role in overseeing legislative business, maintaining decorum in Parliament, and supporting the democratic process in India. His election reflects the strength of NDA in parliamentary proceedings and brings a seasoned political leader from Tamil Nadu into a key constitutional position.
