CP Radhakrishnan Sworn In as 15th Vice President of India, Seen as ‘Untainted’ Leader with Rich Experience

New Delhi, Sept 2025 : Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, a seasoned politician with decades of administrative and political experience, was sworn in on Friday as the 15th Vice President of India. At 67, Radhakrishnan succeeds Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned unexpectedly on July 21. Supporters describe him as a soft-spoken, non-confrontational leader whose long career in public life, coupled with his reputation for integrity, will serve him well in his new role as Vice President and ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.

Radhakrishnan, often referred to by admirers as a Pachai Tamizhan (true-blue Tamil), was serving as the Governor of Maharashtra when the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominated him for the post. He becomes the third leader from Tamil Nadu to hold this high constitutional office.

A Name Rooted in History

His mother, Janaki Ammal, recalled the origins of his name when reporters asked her about her son’s rise to the vice presidency. “When my son was born, the then President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, was in office. He was a teacher, and I too was a teacher. I named my son after him. My husband asked me if I wanted our son to become President one day. After 62 years, just as my husband had said, it has come true,” she said.

A Resounding Electoral Victory

In the vice presidential election earlier this week, Radhakrishnan secured 452 votes against opposition nominee B. Sudershan Reddy, who received 300. Following the win, he described the result as “a victory of the nationalistic ideology” and pledged to work toward building a Viksit Bharat (developed India) by 2047.

“The other side said this was an ideological fight. From the voting pattern, it is clear that nationalistic ideology has emerged victorious. But this is a victory for every Indian. If we are to develop India by 2047, we must rise above politics in everything and focus on development,” Radhakrishnan said in his first address after the election.

Early Political Journey

Radhakrishnan joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a teenager and entered active politics through the Bharatiya Janasangh in the 1970s. By 1996, he had become the secretary of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit and later served as the state president between 2003 and 2006.

He twice represented Coimbatore in the Lok Sabha during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure. Although he was considered for a Union ministerial berth in 1998, confusion over his name led the party to nominate another Tamil leader, Pon Radhakrishnan.

A member of the socially and economically influential Kongu Vellalar Gounder community, he became an important face of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. Over the years, he gained the respect of both party leaders and rivals for his moderate approach and clean image.

Governor Across Four States

Radhakrishnan’s administrative credentials include gubernatorial tenures in Jharkhand, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Puducherry. In each role, he focused on grassroots challenges faced by citizens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his experience, noting, “CP Radhakrishnan ji has rich experience as MP and Governor. His interventions in Parliament were incisive. As Governor, he focused on addressing challenges faced by common citizens. His vast knowledge of legislative and constitutional matters will make him an inspiring Vice President.”

Breaking Political Ground

Radhakrishnan is the first Other Backward Classes (OBC) leader from South India to occupy the vice president’s office, a move that analysts say strengthens the BJP’s appeal in southern states. The NDA has projected him as “eminent, knowledgeable, and untainted by legal controversies.”

His candidacy also counters opposition parties’ criticism that the ruling alliance sidelines leaders from southern India. Colleagues note that Radhakrishnan’s acceptability across party lines in Tamil Nadu was one reason for his repeated gubernatorial assignments.

Sportsman and People’s Leader

Beyond politics, Radhakrishnan has always been active in sports. During his college years, he excelled in table tennis and long-distance running and continues to enjoy cricket and volleyball. Those close to him describe him as approachable and deeply connected to grassroots issues.

His popularity in Tamil Nadu is partly due to his “Rath Yatra” between 2004 and 2007, during which he traveled over 19,000 kilometers across the state in 93 days to connect with people directly.

Personal Life and Education

Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He entered politics at the age of 16 as an RSS swayamsevak before formally joining the Bharatiya Janasangh. His early involvement in student politics laid the foundation for a career that would span electoral, organizational, and constitutional responsibilities.

Looking Ahead

Radhakrishnan has vowed to use his position to bring consensus and discipline to the Rajya Sabha, a chamber often known for sharp political divides. His supporters believe his reputation for calmness and integrity will help him steer the Upper House through contentious debates while ensuring smooth legislative functioning.

Political observers note that his rise also reflects the BJP’s continued strategy of placing leaders from diverse backgrounds in key constitutional roles, balancing both ideology and regional representation.

For Radhakrishnan, the journey from an RSS volunteer in Tiruppur to the vice presidency of India represents not only personal achievement but also a political trajectory rooted in grassroots service, ideological commitment, and administrative experience.

As he settles into his new role, Radhakrishnan has emphasized unity and development as his guiding principles. “We must all work together to achieve the dream of a developed India by 2047. This is not the victory of one party or one ideology, but the victory of every citizen of this great nation,” he said.

With his clean image, deep organizational grounding, and reputation as a consensus-builder, CP Radhakrishnan’s tenure as Vice President is expected to bring both stability and a fresh perspective to Indian politics.

Team Maverick.