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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Live Updates
- 9 Sept 2025 11:20 AM IST
Kangana Ranaut casts her vote for the Vice Presidential election
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut casts her vote for the Vice Presidential election at the Parliament House.
- 9 Sept 2025 11:10 AM IST
Priyanka Gandhi arrives to cast her vote for the Vice Presidential election
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrives at the Parliament House to cast her vote for the Vice Presidential election.
- 9 Sept 2025 11:09 AM IST
BJP national president JP Nadda to cast his vote shortly
Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda to cast his vote for Vice Presidential election shortly, around 11.15 am.
- 9 Sept 2025 11:06 AM IST
Nitin Gadkari and Mallikarjun Kharge arrive to cast their vote in VP poll
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge arrive at the Parliament House to cast their vote for the Vice Presidential election.
- 9 Sept 2025 11:05 AM IST
CP Radhakrishnan will become the Vice President of the country: Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says, "People will vote by listening to their conscience. It is certain that our candidate, CP Radhakrishnan will become the Vice President of the country."
- 9 Sept 2025 11:04 AM IST
CP Radhakrishnan's victory is certain; NDA is much ahead in numbers: MoS Anupriya Patel
MoS Anupriya Patel says, "For all of us, this is a matter of great joy. As MPs, we are getting the opportunity to vote for our VP candidate, C.P. Radhakrishnan. His victory is certain. We are much ahead in the number game...They (Opposition) can see 'mungeri lal ke haseen sapne', the NDA is united..."
- 9 Sept 2025 11:02 AM IST
Sudershan Reddy is being voted for in large numbers: Ram Gopal Yadav
On the Vice President election, SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav says, "We should not reveal the secrecy of the vote, but my 'topi' tells you who I voted for. Our candidate is Sudershan Reddy, he is being voted for in large numbers."
- 9 Sept 2025 11:00 AM IST
Sonia Gandhi arrives to cast her vote for the Vice Presidential election
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi arrives at the Parliament House to cast her vote for the Vice Presidential election.
- 9 Sept 2025 10:51 AM IST
The VP should be occupied by someone who upholds national interest: Supriya Sule
On the Vice President election, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule says, "...This is such a big election. The question is not just about a party, the post should be occupied by an individual who upholds national interest..."
- 9 Sept 2025 10:49 AM IST
INDIA bloc will vote against the NDA VP candidate CP Radhakrishnan: DK Shivakumar
On the Vice Presidential election, Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar says, "...The INDIA bloc will fight the elections together. We have requested a conscious vote. The INDIA bloc and opposition parties will vote against the NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan..."
