CP Radhakrishnan Elected India’s New Vice-President, NDA Secures Comfortable Win
New Delhi, September 9: Maharashtra Governor and former Tamil Nadu BJP chief C.P. Radhakrishnan was on Tuesday elected as the 15th Vice-President of India, securing a decisive victory for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Radhakrishnan, the BJP-led coalition’s nominee, polled 452 votes, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 392. His rival, retired Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, fielded by the Opposition INDIA bloc, could manage only 300 votes. The result was marked by 19 cross-votes in Radhakrishnan’s favour, signalling fissures within the Opposition ranks.
Comfortable Margin for NDA
The contest, held in the backdrop of heightened political tensions over constitutional amendments and upcoming assembly elections, was seen as a litmus test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political dominance. The NDA’s ability to secure nearly 60 percent of the votes, despite concerns of possible defections, reflects both the coalition’s floor management and its influence over regional allies.
BJP strategists had been wary of the stance of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who commands 16 MPs in the Lok Sabha. While Naidu had earlier expressed reservations over certain constitutional moves, he ultimately stayed with the NDA fold, contributing to Radhakrishnan’s tally.
Opposition Setback
For the INDIA bloc, the defeat is a significant setback. The Opposition had projected Justice Reddy, a Telugu and widely respected jurist, as a candidate who could unify regional parties and attract cross-votes. However, the outcome underscores the bloc’s continuing struggle to hold its flock together. The cross-voting, in particular, has raised questions about the INDIA bloc’s cohesion ahead of the crucial Bihar elections.
Political Significance
The Vice-Presidential election result ends speculation that the so-called “Modi wave” might falter in a secret ballot contest. Instead, the outcome has reaffirmed the BJP’s dominance in national politics and its capacity to steer allies even in challenging circumstances.
C.P. Radhakrishnan, a two-time Lok Sabha MP and long-time RSS-BJP loyalist from Tamil Nadu, now steps into the constitutional office of Vice-President, who also serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. His tenure will be closely watched, particularly as the government prepares to push key legislative changes in the upper house.
With this win, the Modi-led NDA has not only ensured continuity in the second-highest constitutional office but also sent a strong signal of unity and control within its ranks.
