CP Radhakrishnan Elected as the 15th Vice President of India

The veteran politician from Tamil Nadu, CP Radhakrishnan, has achieved a monumental milestone in his decades-long political career, being elected as the 15th Vice President of India. His election marks a significant moment, as he becomes only the third leader from Tamil Nadu to hold the second-highest constitutional office in the country. 

Following the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s nomination, Shri Chandrapuram Ponnusami Radhakrishnan, aged 67, secured a decisive victory in the 2025 Vice Presidential election.

CP Radhakrishnan Overview

The election for the Vice President was necessitated by the resignation of the incumbent, Jagdeep Dhankhar. The polling, which took place on September 9, 2025, saw a high turnout, with 767 Members of Parliament (MPs) casting their votes.

Political Journey of CP Radhakrishnan

The journey of CP Radhakrishnan is a story of long-standing dedication and service to the public. Born on May 4, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, he began his association with public life at a very young age.

Early Political Involvement and Rise in the BJP

• Early Roots: He began his public service as an RSS Swayamsevak and became a State Executive Committee Member of the Bharatiya Janasangh in 1974.

• Parliamentary Experience (Lok Sabha): CP Radhakrishnan was elected to the Lok Sabha twice from the Coimbatore constituency in Tamil Nadu, serving terms from 1998 and 1999. During this period, he served on important bodies, including the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Textiles and the Consultative Committee for Finance.

• Party Leadership: He served as the State President of the BJP in Tamil Nadu from 2004 to 2007. He also undertook an extensive 19,000 km 'Ratha Yatra' over 93 days to advocate for issues like linking Indian rivers, eradicating untouchability, and combating terrorism.

Administrative and Party Roles (2016-2022)

• Coir Board Chairman: From 2016 to 2020, he successfully chaired the Coir Board under the Ministry of MSME, during which India’s coir exports reached a record high of over ₹2,532 crores.

• Kerala In-Charge: He was the All India In-Charge for the BJP in Kerala from 2020 to 2022.

CP Radhakrishnan’s Governorship and Administrative Experience

Before his nomination for the Vice Presidential election, CP Radhakrishnan held significant responsibilities as a Governor, gaining invaluable administrative experience.

1. Governor of Jharkhand: He was sworn in as the Governor of Jharkhand on February 18, 2023. In this role, he travelled across all 24 districts of the state, engaging directly with citizens and officials.

2. Additional Charges: He also temporarily held the additional charge as the Governor of Telangana and the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry in 2024.

3. Governor of Maharashtra: He served as the Governor of Maharashtra from July 2024 until he was elected Vice President. During his tenure in Maharashtra, he prioritised enhancing the quality of, and access to, higher education, particularly focusing on tribal welfare.

Constitutional Role and Functions of the Vice President of India

Upon assuming office on September 12, 2025, CP Radhakrishnan stepped into the second-highest constitutional post in the country. The Vice President performs two primary and critical functions as defined in the Indian Constitution:

1. Ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

The Vice President is the ex officio Chairman of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), the Upper House of the Parliament. In this capacity, his role is similar to that of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

• He presides over the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha, maintaining discipline and decorum in the House.

• He protects the rights and privileges of the members.

• He can exercise a casting vote only when there is a tie in the House.

2. Acting as the President

The Vice President takes on the duties of the President of India in the event of a vacancy due to resignation, death, removal (impeachment), or inability to discharge functions due to absence or illness.

• While acting as the President, the Vice President enjoys all the powers, privileges, and immunities of the President.

• He can act as the President for a maximum period of six months, during which time a new President must be elected.

• Crucially, when the Vice President acts as the President, they do not perform the duties of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.