Victory in a Closely Watched Election
Radhakrishnan, 67, won the vice-presidential election on September 9 by defeating Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy. He secured 452 votes out of 752 valid votes cast, while Reddy managed 300. Fifteen votes were declared invalid. The margin of 152 votes underscored the ruling party’s strength and also revealed instances of cross-voting from Opposition ranks.
The election followed the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 due to health concerns. Dhankhar, making his first public appearance since stepping down, was also present at the oath-taking ceremony.
Radhakrishnan has been an influential figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since the late 1990s. He rose to prominence by winning the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat in both 1998 and 1999 with record margins for the state, making him one of the BJP’s key leaders in western Tamil Nadu, a region historically resistant to the party’s growth.
He later served as the Tamil Nadu BJP president between 2004 and 2007 and was inducted into the party’s National Executive. His administrative journey extended beyond party politics when he was appointed as the Governor of Jharkhand in 2023 and later transferred to Maharashtra in 2024.
Cross-Voting and Opposition Setback
The outcome of the vice-presidential election was a disappointment for the Opposition bloc, which had expected to secure at least 320 votes. However, reports of cross-voting weakened their chances, signaling cracks within the alliance. Neither Congress leader Rahul Gandhi nor Opposition leader in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge attended the ceremony, reflecting the deepening political divide.
A Leader Known for Pragmatism
Colleagues and observers describe Radhakrishnan as a leader ideologically rooted in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) but pragmatic in governance. His clean image and straightforward approach have helped him stand out in a political environment often overshadowed by corruption and factional rivalries.
With his election, Radhakrishnan steps into a role critical to India’s parliamentary democracy. As Vice President, he will also serve as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, where balancing debates and ensuring smooth functioning will be among his foremost responsibilities.