Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan has been elected as the 15th Vice President of India on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. He won the election by a margin of 152 votes against Opposition candidate, retired Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudershan Reddy.

Radhakrishnan, the nominee of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), secured 452 first preference votes. His rival, Justice Reddy, managed 300 votes. In addition, 15 votes were found invalid and 14 MPs did not cast their ballot. Out of the total 781 eligible members of Parliament, 767 MPs voted, which meant a turnout of over 98%. Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody, who was the returning officer, announced the results.

Cross-voting claims

Soon after the results, BJP leaders claimed that many Opposition MPs had voted in favour of Radhakrishnan. BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal suggested that nearly 40 Opposition MPs had either voted directly for the NDA candidate or deliberately spoiled their ballots. This, he said, showed wider acceptance of Radhakrishnan.

The Congress, however, rejected these claims. Party leader Jairam Ramesh said the Opposition stood united, pointing out that its candidate had secured 40% of the vote, a big jump from 26% in the 2022 Vice Presidential election. He described the BJP’s win as an “arithmetical victory but a moral and political defeat.”

Leaders reaction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Radhakrishnan on X, praising his lifelong service to society and expressing confidence that he would strengthen India’s democratic traditions. Other NDA leaders also hailed the victory.

On the Opposition side, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge congratulated Radhakrishnan but also praised Justice Reddy for fighting a “spirited and principled battle.” He urged the new Vice President to ensure dignity and equal space for the Opposition in Parliament.

This election became necessary after former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned suddenly on July 21, 2025, during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. His resignation remains unexplained.

The election saw strong participation. Prime Minister Modi was the first to vote. Former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, aged 92, came in a wheelchair. Despite poor health, TMC MPs Sudip Bandhopadhyay and Saugata Roy also voted.

Some MPs in jail also featured in the poll. Engineer Rashid, MP from Jammu and Kashmir, was brought from Tihar Jail under police custody to vote. On the other hand, Punjab MP Amritpal Singh, currently in Assam’s Dibrugarh Jail under the NSA, refused to vote and returned his ballot.

In his concession statement, Justice Reddy said he accepted the result with humility. He reminded that democracy is not only about winning but also about dialogue, dissent, and participation.

With this win, C.P. Radhakrishnan will now take charge as India’s 17th Vice President, a role that also makes him the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.