The Bharatiya Janata Party has officially announced that CP Radhakrishnan, who is currently serving as the Governor of Maharashtra and is a senior leader within the party, will be the National Democratic Alliance’s nominee for the Vice Presidential post. This decision comes after the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar last month, who stepped down from his role as Vice President, citing health-related concerns as the primary reason. The announcement was made on Sunday, highlighting the party’s confidence in Radhakrishnan’s leadership and extensive political experience as he assumes this significant national position.
The choice of CP Radhakrishnan as the candidate was finalized during a BJP Parliamentary Board meeting specifically convened to deliberate and decide on the nomination for the Vice Presidential election. Should he be successfully elected, Radhakrishnan will formally take over from Jagdeep Dhankhar, thereby continuing the responsibilities of the office that were left vacant. The resignation of Dhankhar had created an unexpected vacuum, and the party leadership quickly moved to ensure that a seasoned politician like Radhakrishnan would be fielded to fill the role effectively and without delay.
Reports suggest that CP Radhakrishnan may also be in attendance at the upcoming NDA Parliamentary Party meeting scheduled for Tuesday. His participation in this gathering will not only reinforce his position as the alliance’s chosen candidate but also allow him to interact with leaders and members of the coalition. This step will be seen as part of the broader preparations and groundwork being carried out ahead of the Vice Presidential election to consolidate the NDA’s stance and strategy.
Before the announcement, Radhakrishnan was seen visiting the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai, where he offered prayers and had darshan of Lord Siddhivinayak. This visit is being noted in political and social circles as an auspicious start to his candidature for the Vice Presidency. For many leaders in Indian politics, such temple visits often symbolize a blend of faith, tradition, and public connection, especially at critical junctures in their political journey.
Chandrapuram Ponnuswamy Radhakrishnan was born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, and has been associated with the BJP for several decades. His prominence in the party grew significantly when he served as the Tamil Nadu state president from 2003 to 2006. Over the years, he has steadily risen through the ranks, holding important leadership responsibilities that reflect both his dedication to the party and his administrative abilities.
Throughout his political career, Radhakrishnan has been entrusted with several high-profile positions. He took charge as the Governor of Maharashtra on July 31, 2024, a post he continues to hold. Before this, he served as the Governor of Jharkhand from February 18, 2023, until July 30, 2024. During this period, he also carried additional responsibilities, serving as the Governor of Telangana between March and July 2024, and further extending his role as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry from March to August 2024. These assignments underline his adaptability and capability in handling diverse administrative challenges across different regions of India.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India issued a formal notice on August 7 regarding the process for electing the new Vice President. The notice outlined the election date as September 9, along with detailed schedules for filing nominations, scrutiny of papers, and deadlines for withdrawal of candidature. This official communication has set the stage for the contest, ensuring clarity and transparency in the process leading up to the important election.
The necessity of holding this election arose after the sudden and surprising resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar. His decision came just a day after he chaired the opening of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session in his capacity as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The abruptness of his resignation took many by surprise, sparking debates and questions within political circles about the underlying causes.
The unexpected move has triggered significant speculation across the political spectrum. Members of the Opposition, particularly from the Congress, have been vocal about their doubts regarding the resignation. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh hinted that there could be deeper, undisclosed reasons behind Dhankhar stepping down. He mentioned that he personally spoke to the 74-year-old Vice President just a couple of hours before the resignation was made public, and at that time, Dhankhar did not express any major health concerns or issues. This has only added to the intrigue and further fueled discussions about the true circumstances surrounding his departure.
