
Key Highlights:
- CP Radhakrishnan declared NDA’s Vice President candidate
- Announcement made by BJP President JP Nadda after party meet
- PM Modi attended meeting, expressed full support
- NDA to seek consensus with opposition for unopposed election
- Radhakrishnan currently Governor of Maharashtra, has long political career
New Delhi: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Sunday announced CP Radhakrishnan as its official candidate for the post of Vice President of India. The announcement was made by BJP National President JP Nadda after the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting, which was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior party leaders.
Nadda stated that the decision has been taken with the unanimous support of NDA allies, and the ruling coalition will also reach out to the opposition in the hope of ensuring a consensus candidate.
“We will speak to the opposition as well so that the nation can witness an unopposed election for the post of Vice President,” Nadda said, adding that senior NDA leaders are already in touch with opposition parties.
Who is CP Radhakrishnan?
CP Radhakrishnan, born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, is a seasoned politician with nearly five decades of political experience. A graduate in Business Administration, Radhakrishnan began his political journey as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteer before joining the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1974, which later merged into the BJP.
He first gained prominence when he was elected as a Lok Sabha Member from Coimbatore in both 1998 and 1999, representing the BJP. Over the years, he served important roles in state and national BJP units, including as Secretary of Tamil Nadu BJP in 1996.
Governor Tenure Across States
Radhakrishnan’s administrative experience has been equally distinguished. He is currently serving as the Governor of Maharashtra since July 31, 2024. Prior to this, he was the Governor of Jharkhand, where he also took additional charge as Governor of Telangana and as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, during transitional phases.
Political Significance of NDA’s Decision
The naming of Radhakrishnan is seen as a carefully calculated political move projecting a seasoned leader from South India at the national level, with an emphasis on experience, loyalty, and consensus-building. With majority support in the electoral college, the NDA’s candidate is comfortably placed to secure victory. However, BJP leadership’s willingness to reach out to the opposition suggests a desire to present a united front ahead of the Vice-Presidential election.