BJP Names CP Radhakrishnan as NDA’s Vice Presidential Candidate

• BJP announces CP Radhakrishnan as NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate.
• He is currently the Governor of Maharashtra, with past stints in Jharkhand, Telangana, and Puducherry.
• PM Modi hails his grassroots work, NDA allies extend support; Shiv Sena (UBT) also welcomes pick.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 17th Aug: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced Maharashtra Governor and senior party leader CP Radhakrishnan as the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate for the Vice Presidential election scheduled for September 9.

The decision was finalised during the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting convened to choose the alliance’s nominee for the post. If elected, Radhakrishnan will succeed Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned as Vice President last month citing health reasons.

PM Modi, NDA Allies Rally Behind Radhakrishnan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Radhakrishnan on social media, praising his decades of public service.

“In his long years in public life, Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji has distinguished himself with his dedication, humility and intellect. During the various positions he has held, he has always focused on community service and empowering the marginalised,” Modi wrote, adding that he was “glad the NDA family has decided to nominate him.”

Several NDA leaders also welcomed the announcement, including Chirag Paswan (LJP-RV), Jayant Singh (RLD), Pawan Kalyan (Jana Sena), N. Chandrababu Naidu (TDP), and Jitan Ram Manjhi (HAM). Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, across party lines, described Radhakrishnan as “non-controversial, experienced, and a very good personality.”

Political Journey of CP Radhakrishnan

Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan rose through BJP ranks, serving as Tamil Nadu state president (2003–2006). His gubernatorial tenures include:

• Governor of Maharashtra since July 31, 2024
• Governor of Jharkhand (Feb 2023 – July 2024)
• Governor of Telangana (additional charge) (Mar – July 2024)
• Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (additional charge) (Mar – Aug 2024)

Earlier today, he visited Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple before the announcement.

Vice Presidential Election on September 9

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has scheduled the Vice Presidential election for September 9, with nomination filings and withdrawals detailed in its August 7 notification.

The election follows Dhankhar’s surprise resignation after presiding over the opening day of the Monsoon Session as Rajya Sabha Chairman. His abrupt move has triggered speculation, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh suggesting “far more than meets the eye,” after disclosing that Dhankhar appeared in good spirits during a phone call just hours before stepping down.

With the NDA holding a comfortable majority, Radhakrishnan’s victory is widely seen as a certainty, making him the likely 15th Vice President of India.