Vice Presidential Election 2025 in India unfolded with firm determination as CP Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee, clinched the prestigious second-highest constitutional office. His opponents, led by retired Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy under the INDIA bloc banner, put up respectable resistance but could not match the electoral margin. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of this defining political moment:
Election Overview and Results
- The by-election on September 9, 2025 was held following the resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar due to health concerns ReutersWikipedia.
- CP Radhakrishnan secured 452 first-preference votes, translating to 60.10%, while his challenger, B. Sudershan Reddy, managed 300 votes (39.90%) WikipediaThe Times of Indiamint.
- Of 767 ballots cast, 752 were valid and 15 were declared invalid Wikipediamint.
- Voter turnout soared to over 98% mintReuters.
Strategic Implications & Political Undercurrents
- The margin of victory surpassed expectations, exposing possible cross-voting by opposition MPs in Radhakrishnan’s favor The Economic TimesThe Times of IndiamintVijay Karnataka.
- BJP leaders acknowledged the broader support, with an estimated 40 opposition MPs voting for Radhakrishnan “listening to their conscience” Hindustan Times.
- The opposition coalition — INDIA bloc — while denouncing the result, claimed it demonstrated unity, though the outcome revealed pockets of fragmentation www.ndtv.comHindustan Times.
- The Congress party framed the result as a moral victory, despite the loss, pointing to the strong resistance by their candidate The Indian Express.
- Analysts suggest the outcome could influence political strategies ahead of the Tamil Nadu state elections, among others mint.
New Vice President: Profile and Background
- Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan is a seasoned BJP leader and former Governor of Maharashtra and Jharkhand, with historic ties to the RSS ReutersThe Times of IndiaWikipedia.
- He becomes the 15th Vice President of India, now stepping into the role of Chair of the Rajya Sabha and next in line as acting President if needed ReutersWikipedia.
- His election signifies the continuation of the NDA’s parliamentary influence and preference for candidates with ideological clarity and composure The Times of India1.
Context and Historical Comparison
- Radhakrishnan’s 452-vote tally is notably lower than Jagdeep Dhankhar’s 528-vote victory in 2022, underscoring narrower margins and changing political dynamics Navbharat TimesWikipedia.
- This election underscores not only procedural democracy—as per Article 67 of the Indian Constitution—but also reflects growing ideological fault lines and parliamentary maneuvering Wikipedia.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Election Date | 9 September 2025 |
| Winner | CP Radhakrishnan (NDA) – 452 votes (60.1%) |
| Opponent | B. Sudershan Reddy (INDIA bloc) – 300 votes |
| Turnout | ~98%, with 752 valid votes vs. 15 invalid |
| Key Dynamics | Cross-voting hinted; NDA leveraged majority |
| Role | Vice President, Chair of Rajya Sabha |
| Broader Impacts | Signals shifting allegiances; affects future state polls |
This momentous Vice Presidential Election speaks to the evolving landscape of Indian politics. While the NDA’s dominance seemed assured, the opposition’s performance and possible internal fissures revealed cracks. Radhakrishnan’s win ensures parliamentary continuity but also ushers in a nuanced season of political strategy and recalibration ahead.
Here’s a prominent video covering the recent vice presidential election in India:
