New Delhi: India has elected CP Radhakrishnan, the nominee of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance, as the country’s new Vice President, filling the vacancy created after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned abruptly in July.
Radhakrishnan secured 452 valid votes in the 781-member electoral college, which includes members of both houses of Parliament, defeating opposition-backed Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge, who received 300 votes. A total of 754 votes were cast during the election, of which 15 were declared invalid.
Currently serving as the Governor of Maharashtra, Radhakrishnan is a veteran BJP politician with decades of public service. Born in 1957 in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, he became associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in his teenage years and gradually rose through the ranks of the BJP.
Congratulations to Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji on winning the 2025 Vice Presidential election. His life has always been devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalised. I am confident that he will be an outstanding VP, who will strengthen our Constitutional…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2025
The now VP has served as the BJP’s Tamil Nadu State President, was elected twice as a Member of Parliament from Coimbatore constituency in 1998 and 1999, and has contributed to multiple parliamentary committees.
Known for his affable personality and his ability to work across party lines, his style of leadership is expected to strengthen his performance as Vice President. Before assuming his new role, he will have to resign from his position as Maharashtra’s Governor.
The Vice President holds India’s second-highest constitutional office, serves as Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament), and steps in as Acting President if the presidency falls vacant during the term.
The election carried additional significance as it came after the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar. Dhankhar, who took office in August 2022 with a term scheduled to last until 2027, resigned suddenly in July, citing health concerns and stating he needed to “prioritise healthcare and abide by medical advice.”
His resignation, however, fueled speculation from opposition parties, particularly Congress leaders, who alleged that ‘far deeper reasons’ lay behind his decision to step down, hinting at possible friction with senior BJP leadership. Prime Minister Modi refrained from commenting on the speculation, only wishing Dhankhar good health. Later, Home Minister Amit Shah dismissed the rumours, accusing the opposition of “creating an issue out of nothing.”
Although Dhankhar resigned mid-term, his successor, CP Radhakrishnan, will serve a full five-year term in office, beginning a new chapter in India’s constitutional leadership.
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