Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan officially assumed office as the 15th Vice President of India on Friday, following a swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, key Union Ministers, and several political leaders. According to NDA sources, September 12 was chosen for the ceremony as the time had been declared “auspicious” by priests.
Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance’s candidate, secured a decisive victory in the vice-presidential election earlier this week. He received 452 votes, defeating Opposition nominee and former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy, who managed 300 votes. The election witnessed a voter turnout of 98.2 percent, with 767 of 781 Members of Parliament casting their ballots. Out of 752 valid votes, Radhakrishnan comfortably surpassed the required majority of 377.
On paper, the NDA coalition commanded the support of 427 MPs, but Radhakrishnan’s tally went 14 votes beyond expectations. This unexpected margin has led to speculation of cross-voting from Opposition ranks. Additionally, 11 MPs from the YSR Congress Party supported him, further strengthening the NDA’s position.
Meanwhile, 13 MPs abstained from the election, including seven from the Biju Janata Dal, four from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, one from the Shiromani Akali Dal, and one Independent.
Radhakrishnan’s long political career adds weight to his new role. A senior BJP leader, he twice represented Coimbatore in the Lok Sabha and also served as the party’s Tamil Nadu State President. His gubernatorial record includes tenures as Governor of Jharkhand (February 2023 to July 2024) and Maharashtra. Between March and July 2024, he also held additional charge as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.
The swearing-in ceremony drew a wide range of dignitaries from across the country. Among them were Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, and Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar.
With his elevation, Radhakrishnan takes on the responsibility of presiding over the Rajya Sabha and serving as the second-highest constitutional authority in India, marking another milestone in his decades-long political journey.
