NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan Becomes India’s 15th Vice President, Defeats Sudershan Reddy

New Delhi Chronicle Staff Reporter

New Delhi (Sept 9, 2025) — C. P. Radhakrishnan, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Maharashtra Governor, has been elected as India’s 15th Vice President. Backed by the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Radhakrishnan secured a decisive victory over opposition candidate and retired Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudershan Reddy.

The closely watched Vice Presidential election took place today in Parliament through a secret ballot. Radhakrishnan received 452 votes, comfortably crossing the required majority mark.

Sudden Vacancy Led to Early Election

This election was necessitated by the unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in July due to health concerns, ending a term originally set to last until 2027.

Election Process and Key Numbers

The Vice President is elected by an electoral college consisting of all Members of Parliament from both Houses, including nominated members of the Rajya Sabha. For this election, 781 MPs were eligible to vote, with 391 votes needed to win. Polling was held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by counting in the evening.

Opposition Unity and Abstentions

The INDIA opposition bloc reported full participation, with all 315 MPs casting their votes. However, some regional parties, including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), abstained from voting.

NDA’s Numerical Edge Secures Victory

Despite a united opposition, the NDA’s numerical dominance ensured a smooth win for Radhakrishnan, who now becomes the ex-officio Chair of the Rajya Sabha and second in line to the presidency.