New Delhi: NDA candidate and current Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan has been elected as the 15th Vice President of India, defeating INDIA bloc’s B Sudershan Reddy in Tuesday’s poll.
Radhakrishnan secured 452 votes, ensuring a comfortable victory backed by the NDA’s strong parliamentary numbers. For comparison, previous Vice Presidents Jagdeep Dhankhar and M. Venkaiah Naidu had won with 528 and 516 votes respectively.
Voting and Counting
The election was conducted at Parliament House from 10 am to 5 pm through secret ballot, with counting beginning at 6 pm. The Election Commission oversaw the process under the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952, with a Returning Officer appointed on a rotational basis.
The election became necessary after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stepped down in July due to health concerns.
Numbers Favoured NDA
The Vice President is elected by an electoral college of 788 MPs (233 elected Rajya Sabha members, 12 nominated members, and 543 Lok Sabha members). Currently, 781 MPs were eligible to vote.
The NDA commands support from around 439 MPs, strengthened further by backing from the YSR Congress Party. With BJD and BRS abstaining, Radhakrishnan’s victory margin was assured.
Meanwhile, Reddy received votes from the INDIA bloc and additional support from the AAP, which recently distanced itself from the opposition alliance.
Role and Constitutional Framework
As the new Vice President, Radhakrishnan will serve as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, presiding over parliamentary proceedings and ensuring decorum in the Upper House. Additionally, he will act as President of India whenever the office is vacant or the incumbent is unable to perform their duties, as laid down under Articles 64 and 68 of the Constitution.
Radhakrishnan’s election marks a continuation of NDA dominance in India’s top constitutional positions, further consolidating its political hold.
