C.P. Radhakrishnan Elected as India’s 15th Vice President: A Mandate Marked by Cross-Voting and Political Realignments

10 Sep 2025

NDA’s C.P. Radhakrishnan wins the Vice Presidential election by 152 votes, defeating INDIA bloc candidate B. Sudershan Reddy in a contest reflecting high turnout and shifting alliances.

Introduction

India witnessed another historic political development on September 9, 2025, as Chandrapuram Ponnusamy (C.P.) Radhakrishnan, a veteran politician and current Governor of Maharashtra, was elected the 15th Vice President of India. Backed by the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Radhakrishnan secured a convincing victory over the INDIA bloc’s B. Sudershan Reddy, highlighting not just the numerical advantage of the NDA but also significant instances of cross-voting.

With 452 first-preference votes out of 752 valid ballots, Radhakrishnan’s win by a 152-vote margin represents more than a personal triumph—it marks a political moment that reaffirms the NDA’s dominance while exposing fractures within the opposition.

Background & Context

The Vice Presidential election is a pivotal event in India’s parliamentary democracy. The Vice President serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, playing a critical role in moderating debates, ensuring legislative balance, and representing constitutional neutrality.

Historically, the Vice President’s office has been a symbol of bipartisan acceptance, often witnessing candidates who secured broad support across party lines. However, the 2025 contest was different. It took place against the backdrop of polarized politics, an assertive NDA consolidating its majority, and an INDIA bloc struggling with internal unity.

C.P. Radhakrishnan, long associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has held various organizational roles and earned a reputation as a grassroots leader with administrative acumen. His tenure as the Governor of Maharashtra saw him navigate sensitive political transitions, which added weight to his candidacy.

His opponent, B. Sudershan Reddy, a senior leader with deep legal and political credentials, represented the INDIA bloc’s attempt to project a constitutionalist face. Yet, the results revealed fissures within the opposition ranks.

Key Facts & Announcement Details

Date of Election: September 9, 2025.
Candidates:
- C.P. Radhakrishnan (NDA) – Governor of Maharashtra, veteran BJP leader.
- B. Sudershan Reddy (INDIA bloc) – Senior leader and legal luminary.
Voting Turnout: About 98% of 781 MPs participated—one of the highest turnouts in Vice Presidential polls.
Result:
- Radhakrishnan – 452 votes.
- Reddy – 300 votes.
- Margin of victory – 152 votes.
Political Significance: Cross-voting from opposition MPs played a decisive role, underlining fragile opposition cohesion.

Impact of the Result

Local & Parliamentary Impact

For Parliament, the election outcome means the Rajya Sabha will now have a Chairman aligned ideologically with the ruling NDA. This is likely to smoothen the government’s legislative agenda, particularly in an upper house that has traditionally been more resistant to executive dominance.

National Political Impact

At the national level, the victory reinforces the NDA’s grip over constitutional posts—from the Presidency to the Vice Presidency—consolidating symbolic power along with electoral dominance. For the INDIA bloc, the result has triggered introspection, with leaders acknowledging the “need to strengthen discipline and ideological clarity.”

International Significance

Globally, the election signals political stability in India, a factor investors and foreign governments closely monitor. A Vice President aligned with the ruling coalition is expected to reduce disruptions in parliamentary functioning, making India appear as a more predictable partner.

Expert Opinions

Political Analysts: Commentators suggest the cross-voting indicates dissatisfaction among opposition MPs, especially those who feel alienated within the INDIA bloc. Some even interpret it as “silent endorsement” of the NDA’s nationalistic agenda.
NDA Leaders: Party spokespersons hailed the victory as “a reaffirmation of people’s faith in strong leadership,” while highlighting Radhakrishnan’s long track record of public service.
Opposition Voices: While conceding defeat, INDIA bloc leaders stressed that the outcome is “a wake-up call to build stronger unity,” adding that the ideological fight against “centralization of power” would continue.

Broader Relevance

Politics: The election demonstrates how internal party cohesion often matters more than numbers on paper. Despite having 300 MPs backing its candidate, the INDIA bloc’s unity faltered.
Economy: A politically stable parliamentary environment could accelerate the NDA’s economic reforms, ranging from labour laws to infrastructure projects.
Society & Ideology: Radhakrishnan dedicated his win to “nationalistic ideology,” reflecting the ongoing dominance of cultural nationalism in India’s political discourse.
Democratic Culture: The high turnout (98%) reinforced the institutional seriousness with which MPs treat constitutional offices, even amid sharp polarization.

Future Implications & Outlook

Legislative Smoothness: With the Vice President as Rajya Sabha Chairman, the NDA is expected to face fewer disruptions in pushing through its agenda.
Opposition’s Challenge: The INDIA bloc must now recalibrate strategies, address cross-voting tendencies, and rebuild trust among its members.
Symbolic Power Balance: The NDA’s control over both the Presidency and Vice Presidency strengthens its symbolic authority, making upcoming state and national elections even more consequential.
Democratic Health: Observers note that while the NDA’s dominance is clear, a strong opposition is essential for the checks and balances democracy requires.

Conclusion

C.P. Radhakrishnan’s election as India’s 15th Vice President is more than just a constitutional event—it is a political signal. It marks the NDA’s continued ascendancy, the INDIA bloc’s fragility, and the enduring interplay of ideology, numbers, and strategy in Indian democracy.

As the nation’s new Vice President, Radhakrishnan steps into a role that demands both partisan balance and constitutional integrity. His victory underscores the ruling coalition’s confidence, while also challenging the opposition to rebuild.

The coming years will reveal whether this political moment translates into smoother governance or deepens ideological divides in the world’s largest democracy.

#VicePresidentIndia #CPRadhakrishnan #IndiaPolitics #Election2025 #CrossVoting #NDA #INDIABloc #RajyaSabha #IndianDemocracy #PoliticalShift