NATIONAL: Radhakrishnan’s Landslide Victory in VP Election
Decisive Electoral Triumph
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan secured a resounding victory in the 2025 Vice Presidential election, defeating opposition INDIA bloc nominee Justice B. Sudershan Reddy by a 152-vote margin.
The results, announced by Returning Officer P.C. Mody, followed a high-turnout poll within the Parliament complex on September 9, 2025.
Voting Dynamics
Of the 781 eligible electors in the 788-seat Parliament, 767 MPs voted, achieving a 98.2% turnout.
Abstentions by Biju Janata Dal (7 MPs), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (4 MPs), Shiromani Akali Dal (1 MP), and one independent reduced the voting pool to 769.
Rapid Result Declaration
Vote counting commenced at 6:00 PM under the supervision of candidates’ agents and election observers, with Radhakrishnan’s victory declared at 7:20 PM.
He garnered 60.10% of valid votes, compared to Reddy’s 39.89%, marking the lowest winning percentage since Gopalswaroop Pathak’s 52.7% in 1969.
Cross-Voting Insights
Radhakrishnan secured 452 votes, 14 more than anticipated, suggesting cross-voting from opposition MPs. BJP Chief Whip Sanjay Jaiswal claimed around 40 opposition MPs supported the NDA, with 15 votes deemed invalid, a decrease from the previous election.
Historical Context
Radhakrishnan becomes India’s 15th Vice President, following luminaries like Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Mohammad Hamid Ansari, who each served decade-long tenures.
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s abrupt resignation after 2 years and 344 days necessitated this early election, the first since 1987.
Leadership Acclaim
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Radhakrishnan’s dedication to social service, expressing confidence in his ability to enhance constitutional values.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister Kishan Reddy also praised his commitment and past gubernatorial service.
Radhakrishnan’s Vision
In his first remarks, Radhakrishnan framed his victory as a triumph of “nationalistic ideology,” vowing to advance India’s development by 2047.
He emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation in strengthening democratic processes.
Opposition’s Response
Justice B. Sudershan Reddy graciously accepted defeat, reaffirming his commitment to constitutional values and democratic dialogue.
He underscored the significance of dissent and participation in fortifying India’s democratic framework.