RSS-aligned Maharashtra Governor Radhakrishnan, known for his political work in Tamil Nadu and tenure as Coir Board Chairman, is now set to contest India’s Vice Presidency on September 9, 2025.
BY PC Bureau
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has announced Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election, scheduled for September 9, 2025.
The decision was finalized during an NDA leadership meeting in Parliament on August 7, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President JP Nadda were authorized to make the final selection on behalf of all alliance partners. The BJP parliamentary board—comprising PM Modi, Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Home Minister Amit Shah—will now give the formal approval to the chosen candidate.
The Vice President’s office became vacant following Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation due to health reasons. In response, the Election Commission has scheduled the Vice Presidential polls for September 9, with the nomination window open from August 7 to August 21. Members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will vote to elect India’s second-highest constitutional office bearer.
Background and Political Journey
Born on May 4, 1957, in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, popularly known as CP Radhakrishnan, has been a prominent figure in Indian politics for over four decades. He began his political journey at the age of 16 with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
READ: Media Bias: Two Hours for EC, Two Minutes for Rahul
CP Radhakrishnan named NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/D1RtOmhOFy #CPRadhakrishnan #JPNadda #NDA #VicePresidentialElections pic.twitter.com/BGMBb8UgGA
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) August 17, 2025
Radhakrishnan served as the BJP’s Tamil Nadu state president from 2004 to 2007. During his tenure, he organized a 93-day ‘Ratha Yatra’ covering all constituencies of Tamil Nadu, advocating for river-linking, eradication of untouchability, and combating terrorism.
He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999. In 2014 and 2019, he contested from the same constituency but was unsuccessful. Radhakrishnan also served as Chairman of the Coir Board from 2016 to 2020, playing a pivotal role in boosting India’s coir exports.
In February 2023, Radhakrishnan was appointed Governor of Jharkhand, where he traveled extensively across the state, interacting with citizens and district officials. In July 2024, he was appointed Governor of Maharashtra, succeeding Ramesh Bais. His appointment was viewed as a strategic move by the NDA to strengthen its presence in southern India.
Vice Presidential Election
Radhakrishnan’s candidacy follows the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar from the Vice President’s post in July 2025. The NDA’s decision reflects confidence in his experience and leadership qualities. The election is scheduled for September 9, with the last date for nomination being August 22.
READ: Nine Critical Questions ECI Ducked on “Vote Chori”
CP Radhakrishnan’s nomination as the NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate highlights his long-standing commitment to public service and his significant contributions to Indian politics. His extensive governance experience and leadership within the BJP position him as a strong contender in the upcoming election.
