Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan has been officially declared as the candidate of the ruling NDA for the Vice Presidential election, nearly a month after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his position.
Radhakrishnan’s candidate was announced by BJP national president JP Nadda at a press conference after the conclusion of the party’s parliamentary board meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The move was necessitated after Jagdeep Dhankhar abruptly resigned from the office on the evening of July 21, citing his health and medical advice. His decision took everyone — in the ruling and Opposition — by surprise, however, forcing a VP election within 90 days.
Nadda said that the government has spoken with all NDA allies before making the announcement and will contact the Opposition as well, seeking an “unopposed election" for Vice President.
“We will talk to the opposition as well. We should also get their support so that together we can ensure an unopposed election for the post of Vice President. As we said earlier, we have been in touch with them and our senior leaders have contacted them earlier as well and even now, we will remain in touch with them and all our NDA colleagues have supported us. CP Radhakrishnan is our NDA’s candidate for Vice President," Nadda was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Sources said that Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, JP Nadda, and Kiren Rijiju would start reaching out to the Opposition leaders from Monday to build consensus on the candidate.
Born in 1957 in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu
Current Maharashtra Governor (since July 2024)
Former Governor of Jharkhand (2023)
Has an RSS background
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president (2004–2007), undertook a 93-day statewide yatra
Elected Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha twice from Coimbatore (1998 & 1999)
In charge of BJP Kerala (2020–22), member of the BJP National Executive
He was among the first MPs to visit Taiwan in 2014
Also addressed the United Nations General Assembly in 2003
Chaired Coir Board (2016-2020) and boosted India’s coir exports
Known as a grassroots organiser, has a clean image in the Tamil Nadu BJP
Taking to X, Radhakrishnan extended gratitude to PM Modi and the BJP for nominating him as the VP candidate.
“My heartfelt thanks to our beloved People’s leader our most respected Honourable Prime Minister Shri. @narendramodi Ji , our beloved most respected Honourable Home Minister Shri. @AmitShah Ji, our beloved most respected Honourable Central Minister and @BJP4India President Shri. @JPNadda Ji, our beloved most respected Honourable Parliamentary board members , our beloved most respected Honourable Central Ministers , our beloved most respected Honourable NDA partners for choosing me as their Vice Presidential Candidate. I am moved and touched beyond words for the confidence they have in me and giving me the opportunity to serve the Nation. I assure to work hard for the Nation until my last breath. Jai Hind!" he tweeted.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended best wishes to Radhakrishnan on his nomination and said his vast experience would enhance the prestige of the Rajya Sabha.
“Congratulations to the Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan Ji on being nominated as the NDA’s candidate for the vice presidential election. Your roles as a parliamentarian and as governor of different states have played a significant role in effectively fulfilling the constitutional duties. I am sure your vast experience and wisdom will enhance the prestige of the Upper House and achieve new milestones," he tweeted.
The NDA allies extended their open support for the Vice President candidate.
Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha leader Jitan Ram Manjhi said on X, “We fully support the NDA candidate for Vice President, C.P. Radhakrishnan. We stand with the NDA from the streets to the Parliament."
The Election Commission notified September 9 as the date for the VP election, with August 21 being the last date for filing nominations.
