Radhakrishnan next V-P, Reddy’s count hints at cross-voting

Maharashtra Governor and NDA nominee Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, 68, won the vice-presidential election on Tuesday, defeating joint Opposition candidate and former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy by a margin of 152 votes.

Radhakrishnan, a longtime RSS member, received 452 of the 752 valid votes, while Reddy secured 300.

The results came moments after Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed Opposition unity, saying all INDIA bloc’s 315 MPs voted for Reddy. The outcome, however, indicated cross-voting, as the Opposition fell short by 15 votes from their anticipated strength of 315 MPs. The NDA, which had expected 427 votes, excluding the 11 YSRCP MPs, ultimately received 25 more. Nonetheless, Radhakrishnan’s vote count was lower than that of his predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar.

In 2022, Dhankhar had won by the largest margin in the last six V-P elections, receiving 528 votes against Margaret Alva’s 182. He secured 74.36 per cent of the 710 valid votes, while Radhakrishnan received 60 per cent. Dhankhar had outperformed M Venkaiah Naidu, whose victory margin was 346 votes. The record for the highest margin remains with KR Narayanan, who won 700 of the 701 valid votes against rival independent Kaka Joginder Singh in 1992.

Returning Officer and Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody announced, “Of the 781 electors, 767 votes were polled, a turnout of 98.2 per cent. One postal ballot was cancelled. There were 752 valid votes and 15 invalid. Radhakrishnan received 452 votes and Reddy 300.”

Radhakrishnan is the first OBC leader from South India to be elected Vice-President. With his election, eight of India’s 15 Vice-Presidents have been from the south.

PM Narendra Modi congratulated Radhakrishnan. In a post on X, he said, “Congratulations to Thiru CP Radhakrishnan on winning the 2025 vice-presidential election. His life has always been devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalised. I am confident that he will be an outstanding V-P, who will strengthen our Constitutional values and enhance Parliamentary discourse.”

President Droupadi Murmu and former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar also extended their greetings. Radhakrishnan is expected to be sworn in as the 15th Vice-President of India on September 12. His victory margin is among the lowest in recent history.

Voting took place by secret ballot in the new Parliament House, with no party whip applicable. PM Modi was the first to vote. Of the 781 eligible MPs, 767 voted. Twelve MPs from the BRS, BJD and Akali Dal abstained and two were absent.

Following the results, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X: “The Opposition stood united for the vice-presidential election. Its performance has undeniably been most respectable… The BJP's arithmetical victory is really both a moral and political defeat.”

Reddy, in a statement, humbly accepted the outcome, saying democracy was strengthened not only by victory but also through dialogue, dissent and participation. He added the larger cause he represented remained undiminished.