India has chosen its new Vice President. The 15th person to occupy this high constitutional office is Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, commonly referred to as C. P. Radhakrishnan. His election was no surprise, given the NDA’s numerical advantage. Out of the 767 votes cast, 452 went to Radhakrishnan. The Opposition’s candidate, Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy, secured 300 votes. Fifteen ballots were declared invalid, reducing the total number of valid votes to 752.
The numbers say one thing: the NDA had the edge. But what do these numbers hide?
Radhakrishnan, regarded as a calm and non-controversial figure, has maintained strong links with the RSS, the ideological foundation of the BJP. A two-time Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore (1998, 1999). He is one of the very few BJP leaders from Tamil Nadu to have won the Lok Sabha seat twice from Coimbatore. Over the years, he has been the governor in four regions—Jharkhand, Telangana, Puducherry, and Maharashtra. His image? An agriculturist-industrialist who kept his public life unblemished. His election reflects not just the NDA’s numbers but also the BJP’s continuing hunger to make inroads into the South.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated “Thiru CP Radhakrishnan,” framing him as a leader “devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalised.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah went a step further: he called Radhakrishnan a man of “grassroots sagacity” who will bring out the best in parliamentary democracy.
Words heavy with intent, but time will decide whether they translate into action.
Yet, while the ruling camp celebrated, there were sharp jabs from the Opposition. AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused those parties that abstained from voting of practicing political hypocrisy.
“They pretend to oppose the BJP outside, but inside the system, they stand with them,” Singh said.
His charge was aimed at parties like the Akali Dal and others who stayed away from the contest, indirectly smoothing the NDA’s path.
For the Opposition, this election was painted as an ideological fight—between the RSS vision and what they call the “soul of the Constitution.” Their candidate, Justice Reddy, even wrote personal letters to MPs, appealing for conscience votes. But conscience, as always, bends to arithmetic in Indian politics.
Beyond the politics, let’s not forget the role of the Vice President. He is not just a ceremonial figure. By Constitution, he is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. When the President is unable to perform duties due to absence, illness, or vacancy, it is the Vice President who steps in as Acting President. A quiet but powerful reminder that this office is one heartbeat away from Rashtrapati Bhavan.
So yes, India now has a new Vice President. The NDA has one more victory to its tally, while the Opposition faced another electoral setback. CP Radhakrishnan, a man who has travelled from Tiruppur’s lanes to the Rajya Sabha’s dais, will now preside over the Upper House.
The election has concluded, the results are clear, but debates around its political impact are likely to continue.
