Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan is NDA’s VP pick

New Delhi: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has nominated CP Radhakrishnan, the current Governor of Maharashtra, as its candidate for the Vice Presidential election scheduled for September 9, 2025.

The announcement was made today by the Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda following a meeting of the party’s Parliamentary Board in New Delhi, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the nomination, stating on X that CP Radhakrishnan has distinguished himself through dedication, humility, and intellect during his extensive public service career. Modi highlighted Radhakrishnan’s focus on community service, empowering marginalised communities, and his grassroots work in Tamil Nadu. He also noted Radhakrishnan’s incisive parliamentary interventions as a former MP and his efforts to address citizens’ challenges during his gubernatorial tenures, expressing confidence that Radhakrishnan’s legislative and constitutional knowledge would make him an inspiring Vice President.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also congratulated Radhakrishnan, emphasising that his roles as a parliamentarian and governor of multiple states have been significant in fulfilling constitutional duties. Shah expressed gratitude to Modi and the BJP Parliamentary Board for the decision, stating that Radhakrishnan’s experience and wisdom would enhance the prestige of the Rajya Sabha.

Radhakrishnan, a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999. He served as Tamil Nadu BJP State President from 2004 to 2007, leading a 93-day Ratha Yatra covering 19,000 km to address national issues. He was sworn in as Maharashtra’s Governor on July 31, 2024, after serving as Jharkhand’s Governor for about 18 months, during which he also acted as Telangana’s Governor and Puducherry’s Lieutenant Governor. Born October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, he holds a Business Administration degree and has over 40 years of political experience. Starting as an Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Swayamsevak, he joined the Bharatiya Janasangh’s State Executive Committee in 1974 and became Tamil Nadu BJP Secretary in 1996. Elected to Lok Sabha from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999, he chaired the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Textiles and served on various committees, including one investigating a stock market scam. In 2004, he addressed the UN General Assembly and joined India’s first parliamentary delegation to Taiwan. As Tamil Nadu BJP President (2004–2007), he led a 19,000-km ‘Ratha Yatra’ advocating for river interlinking, anti-terrorism, and social reforms. He chaired the Coir Board (2016–2020), boosting coir exports to ₹2,532 crore, and managed BJP operations in Kerala (2020–2022). As Jharkhand Governor from February 18, 2023, he visited all 24 districts in four months. A former college table tennis champion and long-distance runner, he enjoys cricket and volleyball. He has travelled extensively across the USA, UK, Europe, Asia, and beyond.

The Vice Presidential election follows the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, 2025, due to health reasons. The NDA, with 293 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 129 in the Rajya Sabha, holds a strong position with 422 votes, surpassing the 394 required for victory. Nominations for the election are open until August 21, with withdrawals permitted until August 25. Voting will involve members of both houses of Parliament via a secret ballot using proportional representation through a single transferable vote.

– global bihari bureau