C.P. Radhakrishnan Sworn In as India’s 15th Vice President, Pledges to Advance ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047
New Delhi, September 10, 2025 – Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, a veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Maharashtra Governor, was sworn in as India’s 15th Vice President today at a ceremonial event in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at 10:00 AM IST, marking the culmination of a high-stakes election on September 9, where Radhakrishnan secured a decisive victory with 452 first-preference votes against the opposition INDIA bloc’s candidate, former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy, who polled 300 votes. In his first address, Radhakrishnan described his win as a triumph of “nationalistic ideology” and vowed to steer India toward the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047, while strengthening parliamentary democracy as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
The Swearing-In Ceremony
The ceremony, held in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President-elect’s predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and J.P. Nadda, as well as opposition leaders including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi. Radhakrishnan, dressed in a traditional kurta and jacket, took the oath in English, pledging to “bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India” and to “faithfully discharge the duties” of the Vice President. The event, broadcast live, was followed by a felicitation at Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s residence, where Modi and other NDA leaders congratulated Radhakrishnan. Election Results and Political Dynamics
The Vice Presidential election, held on September 9, saw a 98.2% turnout, with 767 of 781 eligible MPs casting their votes. Of these, 752 were valid, and 15 were deemed invalid, according to Returning Officer P.C. Mody, Rajya Sabha Secretary-General. Radhakrishnan’s 452 votes against Reddy’s 300 resulted in a 152-vote margin, one of the narrowest in recent decades, hinting at cross-voting within the opposition ranks. The NDA, with 425 MPs and support from YSR Congress’s 11 MPs, held a numerical edge, but BJP leaders claimed at least 15 opposition MPs voted for Radhakrishnan, a claim disputed by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who insisted the INDIA bloc’s 315 MPs remained united.
Thirteen MPs abstained, including seven from Biju Janata Dal (BJD), four from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), one from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and one independent, reducing the majority mark to 384 from 391. The opposition framed the contest as an “ideological battle,” with Reddy emphasizing constitutional values, but the NDA’s effective floor management, led by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, ensured Radhakrishnan’s victory. Radhakrishnan’s Vision and First Remarks
In his first public address post-election, Radhakrishnan linked his victory to the broader goal of achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, India’s centenary of independence. Speaking to ANI, he said, “The voting pattern shows that nationalistic ideology has emerged victorious. To develop Viksit Bharat by 2047, we must focus on development over politics.” He emphasized unity, stating, “The opposition and government are two sides of the same coin. We’ll work for everyone,” signaling his intent to maintain impartiality as Rajya Sabha Chairman. Radhakrishnan also thanked President Murmu and PM Modi for their support, pledging to uphold constitutional values and enhance parliamentary discourse.
Radhakrishnan’s Background
Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan, 67, brings a wealth of experience to the Vice Presidency. A Bachelor’s degree holder in Business Administration, he began his political journey at 17 with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Jana Sangh, joining the BJP at its inception in 1980. Elected as a Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999, he earned the moniker “Vajpayee of Coimbatore” for his approachable demeanor and cross-party rapport, notably maintaining cordial ties with Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin.
Radhakrishnan served as Tamil Nadu BJP president (2004–2007), chaired the Coir Board (2016–2020), boosting exports to ₹2,700 crore, and was BJP’s Kerala in-charge (2020–2022). His gubernatorial roles included Jharkhand (2023–2024), Telangana, Puducherry, and Maharashtra (since July 2024). Known for grassroots connect and a sports enthusiast, he represented India in international delegations across Asia, Europe, and North America. Political Reactions
PM Modi, in a post on X, congratulated Radhakrishnan, stating, “His life has been devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalized. I am confident he will be an outstanding VP, strengthening our Constitutional values and enhancing Parliamentary discourse.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised Radhakrishnan’s leadership, expressing hope he would uphold the Rajya Sabha’s sanctity. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath echoed similar sentiments, highlighting his administrative acumen.
The opposition, while conceding defeat, maintained its resolve. Reddy, in a statement, said, “Though the result is not in my favor, the larger cause of upholding equality, fraternity, and liberty remains undiminished. I wish the Vice President-elect the very best.” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge extended congratulations but urged Radhakrishnan to ensure “equal space and dignity” for the opposition, hinting at concerns over past biases in Rajya Sabha proceedings. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claimed the abstention of BJD, BRS, and SAD was a “setback” to the BJP, though the NDA’s victory margin suggests otherwise.
Context and Significance
The election was triggered by Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons, though opposition leaders like Congress’s Sachin Pilot questioned the “unexplained and unceremonious” exit. The first early Vice Presidential election since 1987, it tested coalition dynamics, with the NDA leveraging its 436-MP strength against the INDIA bloc’s 324. The narrow margin, compared to Dhankhar’s 528 votes in 2022, suggests cracks in opposition unity, possibly from Maharashtra MPs, as speculated by NDA leaders.Radhakrishnan’s elevation as the third Tamil Nadu leader to hold the Vice Presidency, after V.V. Giri and R. Venkataraman, marks a milestone for southern representation. His role as Rajya Sabha Chairman will be pivotal in navigating legislative gridlocks, especially with contentious bills expected in the Winter Session. Political analyst Amitabh Tiwari credited the NDA’s victory to Rajnath Singh’s outreach and effective floor management, while opposition voices vowed to intensify their “ideological battle.” Public and International Response
Celebrations erupted in Radhakrishnan’s hometown of Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, with his brother C.P. Kumaresh expressing pride to ANI, saying, “It’s a great joy that Radhakrishnan has been elected as the Vice President.” Posts on X reflected polarized sentiments, with BJP supporters hailing Radhakrishnan’s grassroots legacy, while opposition voices criticized the election as a foregone conclusion due to NDA’s numbers. Internationally, the election drew attention as a marker of India’s democratic stability amid regional unrest, such as Nepal’s protests. UN Resident Coordinator Hanaa Singer-Hamdy congratulated Radhakrishnan, noting his role in strengthening India’s parliamentary traditions could inspire democratic resilience globally.
Looking Ahead
As Vice President, Radhakrishnan faces the challenge of maintaining impartiality in a polarized Rajya Sabha, where the opposition has accused past chairpersons of favoring the ruling coalition. His Hawkins’ Law implications arise from his prior governorship, requiring him to resign from that post before assuming office. His tenure is expected to focus on fostering dialogue and upholding constitutional values, with his first Rajya Sabha session set for the upcoming Winter Session. As India moves toward its ‘Viksit Bharat’ goal, Radhakrishnan’s leadership will be closely watched for its impact on legislative harmony and national progress.
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