Given The NDA nominee, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan (CPR), is NDA candidate for the next Vice President of the country. Following the unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on health grounds on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament (July 21), the NDA explored several permutations and combinations—factoring in political and geographical lines, ideological background, the ability to manage the Rajya Sabha, and reliability. Many names were circulating in both the media and social media.
On August 17, CP Radhakrishnan was announced as the NDA’s choice for the forthcoming Vice-Presidential elections scheduled for September 9 2025. The 68-year-old Radhakrishnan, a two-time Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore (in the Kongu belt, dominated by the Gounder community), has held several gubernatorial posts, including Governor of Jharkhand and Telangana, and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, before assuming charge as Governor of Maharashtra in 2024.
He hails from an OBC background and, if elected, will be the second OBC candidate after his predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar and the third Vice President from Tamil Nadu. He will be occupying a chair previously held by R. Venkataraman (Vice President from 1984 to 1987) and V. V. Giri (1967–1969). With his long tenure as Governor, Radhakrishnan has acquired considerable administrative experience, which is expected to help him in conducting the affairs of the Rajya Sabha.
The NDA had earlier authorised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President J. P. Nadda to select the Vice-Presidential candidate. On August 17, TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu, JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha, and Union Ministers Chirag Paswan (LJP), Jitan Manjhi, and Anupriya Patel seconded Radhakrishnan’s candidature. J P Nadda formally made the announcement after a meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Board.
PM Modi praised CPR’s long public service career, highlighting his dedication, humility, and intellect. In a post on X, he said: “Throughout his various roles, he has consistently focused on community service and empowering grassroots. His work in Tamil Nadu is noteworthy. Thiru C P Radhakrishnan ji brings rich experience as a Member of Parliament and as Governor of multiple states. His parliamentary interventions were always incisive, addressing challenges faced by common citizens. This experience has equipped him with vast knowledge of legislative and constitutional matters. I am confident that he will be an inspiring Vice President.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah added: “His vast experience and wisdom will enhance the prestige of the Upper House and help it achieve new milestones.”
BJP President J. P. Nadda remarked, “He has had a successful 40-year career in public life. I can personally say that he played a huge role in the tuberculosis vaccination programme. In Tamil Nadu, across party lines, he commands respect in all sections of society… he is considered a statesman.”
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu said: “The Telugu Desam Party warmly welcomes his nomination and extends its full support.”
In response, Radhakrishnan posted on X: “My heartfelt thanks to our beloved people’s leader, our most respected Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, for nominating me as the NDA Vice-Presidential candidate and giving me the opportunity to serve the nation.” BJP Tamil Nadu President Nainar Nagendran also appealed to all political parties in the state to support Radhakrishnan, invoking Tamil pride and sentiment.
Critics, however, note that the BJP’s choice carries strong political messaging. After nominating a Presidential candidate from Odisha in the East, the party has now selected a Vice-Presidential nominee from the South. The ruling DMK, they say, has been checkmated. Comparisons were drawn with the UPA’s nomination of Pratibha Patil as President, when the Shiv Sena, despite being an NDA ally, supported her, citing her Maharashtrian identity. By contrast, DMK President M. Karunanidhi declined to support Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, infamously remarking, “Kalam means Kalagam (chaos).”
Now, the DMK faces a choice: whether to back Radhakrishnan or stand behind the INDI bloc’s possible nominees, CPI’s D. Raja or DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, whose names are being discussed. Earlier this week, Radhakrishnan even went out of protocol to call on Chief Minister Stalin to enquire about his health. Known to have maintained a “good working relationship” with the DMK, Radhakrishnan was also instrumental in 1999 in bringing the party into the NDA fold when the AIADMK withdrew support to the Vajpayee government.
The fact of the matter is that the nomination of Radhakrishnan as the Vice President candidate, contesting against the Opposition’s nominee B Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge, is not merely a political equation or part of a strategy, but is in the interest of the nation. Considering B Sudershan Reddy’s past judgments, especially regarding Salwa Judum, it would not be wrong to say that Radhakrishnan’s victory would only benefit the nation.
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