NDA's CP Radhakrishnan is India's next Vice-President
BJP leaders are quick to claim that at least 15 Opposition MPs voted in favour of Radhakrishnan.
NDA candidate C P Radhakrishnan was elected the next vice-president of India on Tuesday (September 9) as he bagged 452 votes against the Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy's 300, winning the contest with a bigger-than-expected margin, indicating cross-voting from the rival camp.
Announcing the result of the vice-presidential election this evening, Rajya Sabha secretary general and returning officer P C Mody said 767 MPs cast their votes out of the total valid electors of 781 in a turnout of 98.2 per cent. He said 752 ballots were valid and 15 were invalid, bringing down the required majority of first preference votes to 377.
Though the victory of Radhakrishnan (67), currently the Maharashtra governor and a seasoned leader with an RSS background and decades-long stint first in the Jan Sangh and then the BJP in Tamil Nadu, was a foregone conclusion due to the ruling alliance's numerical edge but the extent of his victory margin is seen as a setback to the Opposition.
Opposition MPs cast invalid votes?
BJP leaders were quick to claim that at least 15 opposition MPs voted in favour of Radhakrishnan. There were hints from the ruling alliance that some Opposition MPs deliberately cast invalid votes.
"I declare C P Radhakrishnan elected to the post of Vice President of India and the results will be communicated to the Election Commission," Mody said.
BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal claimed that "nearly 40 opposition MPs" listened to the voice of their conscience and voted in "some manner" in support of the NDA candidate, showing a wider acceptance for him. His assertion of support from 40 opposition MPs appeared to include several invalid votes.
Some opposition leaders had appealed to MPs' conscience in the polls to support Reddy, and the senior BJP leader's comments were seen as a retort to them.
"Congratulations to Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji on winning the 2025 Vice Presidential election. His life has always been devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalised," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X.
"I am confident that he will be an outstanding VP, who will strengthen our Constitutional values and enhance Parliamentary discourse," he said.
Radhakrishnan isIndia's 15th vice president when he is sworn in to the post.
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- 9 Sept 2025 11:08 PM IST
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- 9 Sept 2025 8:46 PM IST
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar congratulates Radhakrishnan
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday expressed delight over the victory of NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan in the vice presidential election.
Radhakrishnan won the vice presidential election on Tuesday by bagging 452 votes, while Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy polled 300 votes, Returning Officer PC Mody said.
"Heartiest congratulations to Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, the NDA's candidate, upon getting elected to the post of Vice President of India," Kumar said in a post on X.
- 9 Sept 2025 8:37 PM IST
Kharge congratulates Radhakrishnan, stresses upholding parliamentary traditions
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge congratulated CP Radhakrishnan on his VP election win and thanked B Sudershan Reddy for his spirited campaign, emphasising the need to uphold parliamentary traditions, democratic values, and accountability in constitutional offices.
- 9 Sept 2025 8:34 PM IST
Former VP Jagdeep Dhankhar congratulates Radhakrishnan
Former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar congratulated CP Radhakrishnan on his election as the next Vice-President, saying his elevation reflects the trust and confidence of the nation’s representatives.
- 9 Sept 2025 8:29 PM IST
Ideological battle continues with ever greater vigour: Reddy after VP poll defeat
Opposition's vice-presidential candidate B Sudershan Reddy on Tuesday said he humbly accepts the defeat in the elections and asserted that democracy is strengthened not by victory alone, but by the spirit of dialogue, dissent, and participation.
In a statement issued soon after NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan was declared elected to the post of vice-president, Reddy said that though the result was not in his favour, the larger cause "we have collectively sought to advance, remains undiminished".
"The ideological battle continues with ever greater vigour," Reddy said.
"I humbly accept this outcome with an abiding faith in the democratic processes of our great republic. This journey has been a profound honour, offering me the opportunity to stand for the values that have guided my life -- constitutional morality, justice, and the dignity of every individual." He extended heartfelt gratitude to the leaders of the opposition parties who made him their joint candidate.
"Our democracy is strengthened not by victory alone, but by the spirit of dialogue, dissent, and participation."
"I remain committed, as a citizen, to upholding the ideals of equality, fraternity, and liberty that bind us together. May our Constitution continue to be the guiding light of our national life," Reddy said.
He wished the Vice President-elect, CP Radhakrishnan, the very best as he embarks upon his tenure.
- 9 Sept 2025 8:25 PM IST
Congress leader admits cross-voting in vice-presidential polls
Congress leader Tanuj Punia congratulated CP Radhakrishnan while admitting cross-voting. He added that though the NDA may draw MPs to its side, the public is shifting towards the INDIA alliance.
- 9 Sept 2025 8:20 PM IST
PM Modi congratulates Radhakrishnan, says he will uphold constitutional values as Vice-President
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated CP Radhakrishnan on winning the 2025 Vice Presidential election, praising his lifelong service to society and commitment to empowering the poor and marginalised.
- 9 Sept 2025 8:18 PM IST
Jairam Ramesh hails Opposition unity, calls BJP’s win a moral and political defeat
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said the Opposition displayed unity in the Vice Presidential election, securing 40% of the vote compared to 26% in 2022. He described the BJP’s numerical win as a moral and political loss, adding that the ideological fight remains undiminished.
- 9 Sept 2025 8:15 PM IST
Reddy accepts verdict, vows to continue ideological fight with greater vigour
B Sudershan Reddy said he humbly accepts the vice-presidential poll outcome with faith in India’s democratic processes, adding that while the result was not in his favour, the ideological battle will continue with greater vigour.
- 9 Sept 2025 8:13 PM IST
President Murmu congratulates Radhakrishnan
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated CP Radhakrishnan on being elected Vice-President, praising his decades of public service and wishing him a successful and impactful tenure.
