New Vice-President faces test of neutrality

CP RADHAKRISHNAN’S election as the 15th Vice-President of India marks both continuity and change in the country's constitutional journey. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee defeated Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy by 152 votes, underscoring the government's legislative strength and organisational discipline. For the BJP, the choice of CPR is strategic. A veteran from Tamil Nadu with strong RSS roots, he has held multiple leadership roles in the party and served two terms as a Lok Sabha MP. By elevating him to the vice-presidency, the NDA has not only rewarded loyalty and experience but also signalled its intent to project a southern face in national politics. This has implications for the BJP's larger ambition of deepening its influence in the South, where it has traditionally struggled to make electoral inroads. Modi's decision also reflects his legacy of political memory — honouring leaders whose steadfastness during the party's lean years built today's BJP.