NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan Elected Vice President of India
Cross-voting dents Opposition as NDA nominee secures 452 votes against Justice Reddy’s 300
- CP Radhakrishnan elected Vice President with 452 votes.
- Defeated Opposition nominee Justice B Sudershan Reddy who got 300 votes.
- 15 votes declared invalid; lowest winning margin in recent VP elections.
- Cross-voting evident, with at least 14 Opposition MPs backing NDA candidate.
- Congress urges VP-elect to safeguard democratic values and Opposition space.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th Sept: Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA candidate, has been elected as the new Vice President of India, succeeding Jagdeep Dhankhar. The 68-year-old secured 452 first preference votes in today’s election, defeating Opposition candidate and retired Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy, who managed 300 votes.
Of the 754 votes cast, 15 were declared invalid. The margin of 150 votes is among the lowest ever recorded in a Vice Presidential election. In 2022, Jagdeep Dhankhar had defeated Opposition candidate Margaret Alva by a record margin of 346 votes.
Political observers noted clear signs of cross-voting, with the NDA tally exceeding its expected strength. While the NDA and its declared allies had 438 votes, Radhakrishnan secured 452 — suggesting at least 14 Opposition MPs switched sides.
The Opposition’s strength of 315 MPs also came under question as its candidate managed only 300 votes. The cancellation of 15 votes added further intrigue to the contest.
Celebrations broke out in NDA ranks, with BJP MP Nishikant Dubey mocking the Opposition by asking on X, “Which 15 people ran away and voted for us?”
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, in contrast, extended congratulations but urged the new Vice President to uphold Parliamentary traditions and ensure dignity for the Opposition.
