The Vice President Election 2025 concluded on September 9 with the BJP-led NDA’s candidate C P Radhakrishnan securing a decisive victory. Radhakrishnan won 452 votes, while the Opposition INDIA bloc’s candidate B Sudershan Reddy received 300 votes. Officials reported that 14 Members of Parliament abstained, and the overall voting turnout touched 96% by 3 pm.
This election was held nearly 50 days after former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, citing health reasons and the need to focus on medical care. Consequently, Dhankhar’s early departure created an unusual situation, leading to a high-stakes political contest for India’s second-highest constitutional post.
Why This Vice Presidential Election Mattered
In India’s parliamentary system, the Vice President plays a crucial role as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Beyond ceremonial duties, the Vice President ensures the Upper House runs smoothly, manages debates, and takes key decisions when disputes arise.
This year’s election was particularly significant because:
- It was the first Vice Presidential election conducted in the new Parliament building.
- The result was seen as a test of strength between the NDA and the Opposition’s INDIA bloc.
- With important bills and constitutional debates ahead, the Vice President’s role as Rajya Sabha Chairperson will be central in shaping parliamentary discourse.
CP Radhakrishnan: From Tamil Nadu BJP Leader to Vice President of India
The NDA chose C P Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader, as its nominee. His selection was strategic for several reasons.
First, regional representation mattered. He hails from Tamil Nadu, a state where the BJP has historically struggled to gain ground. Elevating him strengthens the party’s reach in southern India.
Second, community representation played a role. He belongs to the OBC Goundar-Kongu Vellalar community, which carries political influence in Tamil Nadu.
Third, political experience worked in his favour. Radhakrishnan is the only BJP leader from Tamil Nadu to win two consecutive Lok Sabha elections (1998 and 1999).
Moreover, since July 2024, he had been serving as the Governor of Maharashtra. Known for his strong ideological grounding in the RSS, he is respected within the BJP as a soft-spoken and non-controversial figure.
At 68 years old, he is widely regarded as a leader who balances party loyalty with consensus-building—qualities seen as essential for a Vice President.
Prime Minister Modi’s Support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast the first vote during polling and later congratulated Radhakrishnan soon after the results were declared. On social media platform X, Modi wrote:
“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 values and enhance Parliamentary discourse.”
Furthermore, several senior BJP leaders and Union Ministers echoed the sentiment, describing Radhakrishnan’s victory as a win for stability and good governance.
The Opposition’s Candidate: B Sudershan Reddy
The Opposition INDIA bloc fielded B Sudershan Reddy, a senior leader with strong legal and political credentials. Reddy campaigned on the promise of being an independent constitutional voice and urged MPs to vote with their conscience.
In his reaction after the results, Reddy said:
“I humbly accept the result with abiding faith in democratic processes of the great republic. Though the result is not in my favour, the ideological battle continues with ever greater vigour.”
However, the INDIA bloc expected around 324 votes, but managed only 300, indicating cross-voting from some Opposition MPs. In contrast, the NDA and its allies gained more votes than their official count of 439, proving their stronger parliamentary grip.
Election Process and Voting Details
The Vice President election followed a well-defined procedure.
- Electoral College Size: 788 MPs (245 from Rajya Sabha + 543 from Lok Sabha). However, with 6 Rajya Sabha vacancies and 1 Lok Sabha vacancy, the final number was 781.
- Majority Mark: 391 votes.
- Turnout: 767 MPs cast their vote before the 5 pm deadline.
- Method: Secret ballot. MPs were not bound by party whips, meaning they could vote freely.
- Special Training: Both NDA and the INDIA bloc conducted mock polls to avoid invalid votes, a problem that occurred in the last VP election.
As a result, the polling process went smoothly, with officials confirming only a handful of abstentions.
Role of Smaller Parties and Abstentions
The Vice President Election 2025 was not just a battle between the NDA and INDIA bloc—it also depended on smaller parties and independent MPs.
- YSR Congress Party (11 MPs): Declared support for Radhakrishnan.
- AIMIM (1 MP): Supported Sudershan Reddy.
- BJD & BRS: Announced abstention from voting.
- Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD): Boycotted the poll, citing a lack of support for the Punjab flood victims.
Meanwhile, out of the 39 MPs not aligned with either camp, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed confidence that most would back Radhakrishnan, describing him as a “nationalist and a very good person.”
Cross-Voting Changed the Equation
While the NDA was expected to secure around 425 votes, the final count stood at 452, meaning at least 13 Opposition MPs cross-voted in favour of Radhakrishnan.
On the other hand, the INDIA bloc underperformed, gaining 300 votes instead of their estimated 324, proving that internal dissent weakened their united front.
Thus, this cross-voting highlighted:
- NDA’s stronger internal discipline.
- Doubts within Opposition ranks about their candidate’s chances.
- A message from some MPs who chose pragmatism over ideology.
Political Significance of the Result
The Vice President Election 2025 result has broader implications for Indian politics.
- NDA’s Strength Confirmed: With 452 votes, the ruling alliance showed it has clear dominance in Parliament.
- Southern Strategy: By electing a leader from Tamil Nadu, BJP aims to strengthen its presence in the South.
- Opposition Challenges: The INDIA bloc, despite projecting unity, could not prevent cross-voting. This raises questions about their ability to fight together in upcoming elections.
- Smooth Functioning of Rajya Sabha: With Radhakrishnan as Chairperson, the NDA is confident of better management of legislative debates and bills.
Conclusion
The Vice President Election 2025 was more than a routine constitutional process—it reflected the current balance of power in Indian politics. C P Radhakrishnan’s election as India’s 15th Vice President is a major victory for the NDA and a setback for the Opposition.
As Vice President, Radhakrishnan will preside over the Rajya Sabha, play a key role in maintaining parliamentary order, and represent the country in constitutional duties. His journey from Tamil Nadu BJP leader to one of the highest offices of the land underlines both his personal resilience and the ruling alliance’s political strategy.
On the other hand, the Opposition has described the contest as an “ideological battle.” Yet, the numbers prove the NDA’s overwhelming edge in Parliament.
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