C.P. Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance candidate and former Governor of Maharashtra, has been elected as the 15th Vice President of India on September 9, 2025. His victory follows the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar due to health reasons, prompting an early election for the post, the first of its kind since 1987.
The election was held in Parliament with a voter turnout exceeding 98%, as 767 out of 781 eligible MPs cast their votes—reflecting intense political engagement and the significance of the vice-presidential role. Radhakrishnan won with 452 votes, while opposition INDIA bloc nominee Justice (Retd) B. Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge, received 300 votes, making him the highest-polling losing candidate in Vice President election history.
The NDA’s well-organized campaign and robust coalition support, combined with cross-party votes, helped Radhakrishnan secure his win. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders were early voters, underlining the government’s confidence in its numbers. On the opposite side, Sudershan Reddy rallied support beyond the standard opposition bloc, receiving endorsements from independent MPs and new alliances, yet ultimately fell short in the final tally.
C.P. Radhakrishnan’s background as a BJP veteran and his past administrative leadership in Maharashtra gave him wide acceptability across party lines and among independent MPs. His election is expected to reinforce the NDA’s influence in Parliament and bring fresh momentum to the functioning of the Rajya Sabha, where the vice president serves as chairman.
This landmark result also reflects shifting power dynamics and the ability of India’s parliamentary system to adapt to unforeseen transitions, ensuring continuity of governance at the highest constitutional level.
