On August 18, 2025, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) made headlines by announcing Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan as their candidate for the post of Vice President of India. The move is seen by many as a strategic effort to consolidate the party’s growing influence in Tamil Nadu, a state where the BJP has been steadily working to expand its base.
Radhakrishnan, often referred to as CPR, hails from Tiruppur in Western Tamil Nadu—a region where the BJP enjoys a relatively robust presence compared to other parts of the state. Belonging to the Gounder community, which forms a majority in the western districts, Radhakrishnan’s elevation is being interpreted as a nod to the community’s electoral significance and the party’s desire to strengthen its foothold in the region.
His political journey is as impressive as it is uncontroversial. According to The Times of India, Radhakrishnan began his public life at just 17, joining the Tamil Nadu executive committee of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1974. He steadily climbed the party ranks, becoming state secretary of the BJP in 1996, and just two years later, he was elected as a Member of Parliament from Coimbatore. He retained his seat in 1999 and later served as the state president of the BJP from 2004 to 2007.
Over the decades, Radhakrishnan has held a variety of key positions, including Chairman of the Coir Board in Kochi (2016–2020), BJP’s All-India in-charge for Kerala (2020–2022), Governor of Jharkhand (February 2023–July 2024), and, most recently, the 24th Governor of Maharashtra from July 2024. In 2024, he also briefly held additional charges as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, demonstrating the trust and responsibility placed in him by party leadership.
What sets Radhakrishnan apart, as noted by both party colleagues and political observers, is his reputation for integrity and simplicity. BJP national women’s wing president Vanathi Srinivasan described him as “a very simple and honest person. It is a big recognition for Tamil Nadu.” Such sentiments are echoed across party lines, with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami congratulating Radhakrishnan and thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for selecting a candidate from Tamil Nadu for the high constitutional post.
Prime Minister Modi himself was effusive in his praise, taking to social media platform X to write, “In his long years in public life, CP Radhakrishnan has distinguished himself with his dedication, humility and intellect. He has always focused on community service and empowering the marginalised. He has done extensive work at the grassroots in Tamil Nadu.” Modi further noted, “CP Radhakrishnan Ji has rich experience as MP and Governor of various states. His Parliamentary interventions were always incisive. During his gubernatorial tenures, he focused on addressing challenges faced by common citizens. I am confident he will be an inspiring Vice President.”
The announcement of Radhakrishnan’s candidacy comes at a time of transition at the top. The current Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, resigned on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons. In his official resignation letter to the President of India, Dhankhar wrote, “To prioritise healthcare and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.” The resignation triggered a swift and coordinated response from the ruling coalition.
On August 7, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that the NDA had unanimously authorized Prime Minister Modi and BJP president J P Nadda to select the Vice Presidential candidate. This decision was made following a high-level meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by a host of senior BJP and NDA leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, JD(U) leader Lalan Singh, Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde, TDP’s Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, and LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan.
The selection of Radhakrishnan is not just about rewarding loyalty or experience. Many within the BJP see it as a calculated move to send a message to Tamil Nadu, a state that has historically been wary of the party’s overtures. “Kongu region has been supporting NDA. The announcement of CPR as VP candidate is not only a gift to the region, but also to the entire state,” said BJP state general secretary AP Muruganandam. This sentiment is further reinforced by the observation that, since R Venkatraman (who served as Vice President from 1984 to 1987), no one from Tamil Nadu has held the post. “It was BJP which made a Tamilian as president (Abdul Kalam) in recent years. Now it is again our party which is making another Tamilian as VP,” remarked a senior BJP functionary, highlighting the party’s efforts to recognize and elevate Tamil leaders to national prominence.
Radhakrishnan’s long-standing relationships with party stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L K Advani, and Murli Manohar Joshi have only added to his reputation as a bridge-builder and consensus candidate. He is widely acknowledged for avoiding controversy and maintaining a clean profile throughout his four decades in public life—a rare feat in Indian politics.
Beyond personal and political credentials, the office of Vice President carries significant constitutional weight. The Vice President is elected through an indirect election by an electoral college comprising members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). State legislatures do not participate in this process. The election uses the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, requiring candidates to secure a majority of valid votes cast. Apart from being the second-highest constitutional authority, the Vice President also serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, playing a crucial role in the functioning of India’s upper house of Parliament.
For Radhakrishnan, the journey from a young RSS worker in the 1970s to potentially becoming the country’s Vice President is a testament to perseverance and adaptability. He is also known as an avid sportsperson and someone who has kept his personal life remarkably simple and transparent—qualities that have endeared him to supporters and colleagues alike.
As the Vice Presidential election approaches, all eyes are on the BJP’s ability to translate this symbolic gesture into tangible electoral gains in Tamil Nadu and beyond. Whether Radhakrishnan’s candidature will further consolidate the party’s position in the region remains to be seen, but for now, the announcement has injected a new sense of enthusiasm and pride among BJP supporters in the state.
The story of C P Radhakrishnan’s rise is not just about political strategy or symbolism. It’s about the enduring appeal of integrity, hard work, and the belief that even in the rough-and-tumble world of Indian politics, a clean record and a commitment to public service still matter.
