Congress calls BJP’s win a ‘moral defeat’ after CP Radhakrishnan elected Vice President

The Congress on Tuesday struck a defiant note after the NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan was elected Vice President, declaring that the Opposition had fought a united and respectable battle that exposed what it called the BJP’s “moral and political defeat”. Even as Radhakrishnan sailed through on the back of the ruling alliance’s numbers, the Opposition claimed the contest was more about ideology than arithmetic.

“The Opposition stood united for the vice-presidential election. Its performance has undeniably been most respectable. Its joint candidate Justice (retd) B Sudershan Reddy secured 40 per cent of the vote. In 2022, the Opposition had received 26 per cent of the vote in the VP elections. The BJP’s arithmetical victory is really both a moral and political defeat. The ideological battle continues undiminished,” Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, said on X.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also sharpened the attack, while formally congratulating Radhakrishnan. In a long post, he said: “Best wishes to CP Radhakrishnan on securing victory in the vice-presidential election. We extend our sincere gratitude to Shri B Sudershan Reddy garu, the united Opposition’s joint candidate, for his spirited and principled fight. This was more than an election; it was a battle of ideology, reaffirming that governments with authoritarian tendencies must be checked to protect our Constitution and Democracy.”

Kharge further said that he hoped the new VP-elect will uphold the highest ethos of Parliamentary traditions, ensuring equal space and dignity for the Opposition, and not succumb to pressures of the ruling dispensation.

“The Vice President, the second highest Constitutional office in the order of precedence, must be revitalised to reflect independence, fairness, and strength in safeguarding Democratic values. We must also remember why this election was necessitated. Jagdeep Dhankar resigned suddenly on the very day he chaired the opening of the monsoon session — an exit still unexplained and unceremonious. As we move forward, transparency, accountability and respect for Constitutional positions must guide our institutions in letter and spirit,” Kharge said.

Justice (retd) B Sudershan Reddy, who was projected as the joint Opposition candidate, accepted the outcome but insisted that the larger fight was far from over.

In a statement, he said: “Today, the MPs have rendered their verdict in the election for the office of the Vice President of India. 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. Though the result is not in my favour, the larger cause we have collectively sought to advance remains undiminished. The ideological battle continues with ever greater vigour.”

Reddy further extended gratitude to the leaders of the Opposition parties. “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. I wish the Vice President-elect CP Radhakrishnan the very best as he embarks upon his tenure,” Reddy said.