Radhakrishnan Sworn in at Rashtrapati Bhawan
Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, popularly known as CP Radhakrishnan, officially took oath as the 15th Vice President of India on Friday, September 12. The ceremony was held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office.
#WATCH || 𝐂𝐏 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐚𝐧 (@CPRGuv) 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚.
#VicePresident #CPRadhakrishnan pic.twitter.com/wn9btutr11
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) September 12, 2025
The event was attended by several high-profile dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Presidents and Vice Presidents, Union Cabinet ministers, and state leaders. The swearing-in marked a historic moment for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which had fielded Radhakrishnan as its candidate.
Radhakrishnan’s election was confirmed on September 9, when he secured a clear majority in the Vice Presidential polls. His victory reflects both the NDA’s parliamentary strength and unexpected cross-party support.
Election Results and Voting Pattern
According to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Radhakrishnan received 452 votes in the election. His opponent, former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy, nominated by the Opposition, garnered 300 votes.
Out of the 781 Members of Parliament eligible to vote, 767 cast their ballots, marking an impressive turnout of 98.2 percent. Of these, 752 votes were deemed valid, while 15 ballots were declared invalid. The required majority was set at 377, which Radhakrishnan comfortably crossed.
On paper, the NDA had the backing of 427 MPs. However, the final tally showed Radhakrishnan receiving 14 more votes than expected. Reports suggest possible cross-voting by Opposition lawmakers, further strengthening his margin of victory.
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which holds 11 MPs, also extended support to the NDA nominee, cementing his path to the Vice Presidency.
Prime Minister’s Congratulations
Soon after the announcement of results, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Radhakrishnan. He praised the Vice President’s decades of public service and expressed confidence in his ability to strengthen parliamentary discourse.
“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,” the Prime Minister wrote.
A Vacancy Filled After Dhankhar’s Exit
Radhakrishnan’s election comes after the resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in July 2025. Dhankhar stepped down more than two years before the completion of his term, citing medical reasons.
However, political observers suggested tensions between Dhankhar and the Centre over sensitive issues, including his refusal to support the government’s position on the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma. His resignation created an unexpected vacancy in one of the highest constitutional offices.
Under Article 68(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill the vacancy in the Vice President’s office must be held “as soon as possible.” The elected leader serves a full five-year term beginning on the day they assume office, regardless of when the vacancy occurred.
Who Is CP Radhakrishnan?
A veteran politician from Tamil Nadu, CP Radhakrishnan has long been associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Known for his grassroots connections and clean public image, he has served in multiple roles, including as a Member of Parliament and as the BJP’s Tamil Nadu state president.
Radhakrishnan’s political journey began during the party’s early years in South India. Over time, he emerged as a prominent figure, particularly for his work in expanding the BJP’s base in a region traditionally dominated by Dravidian parties.
Beyond politics, he is recognized for his social service initiatives and his efforts to promote education and community development. His election as Vice President is seen as both a recognition of his political career and an attempt to strengthen the BJP’s appeal in southern India.
Significance of His Election
The Vice President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, making the role critical in maintaining parliamentary order. With the ruling alliance holding a majority in the Lok Sabha but facing challenges in the Rajya Sabha, Radhakrishnan’s position will be key in managing legislative debates and fostering dialogue.
Analysts believe his election could also carry symbolic weight. As a southern leader in a top constitutional office, Radhakrishnan’s rise may help bridge regional divides and expand the ruling coalition’s influence across states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Looking Ahead
With his swearing-in complete, CP Radhakrishnan now begins his five-year term as India’s Vice President. His challenge will be to balance the responsibilities of presiding over the Rajya Sabha with the expectations of representing constitutional values above party politics.
Supporters hope his experience and reputation for consensus-building will allow him to strengthen parliamentary discourse at a time when political divisions often dominate debates. For now, his election stands as a milestone in both his career and India’s democratic process.