Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA’s nominee, has been elected as India’s Vice President, succeeding Jagdeep Dhankhar. The 68-year-old secured 452 first preference votes against 300 polled by Opposition candidate and retired Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy.

A total of 754 MPs cast their votes, of which 15 were declared invalid. Among valid votes, Mr Radhakrishnan won by a margin of 150 – one of the lowest in recent Vice-Presidential elections. In contrast, Mr Dhankhar’s 2022 victory over Margaret Alva was by the largest margin in six polls.

The results indicate significant cross-voting. While the NDA and allies had 438 assured votes, Radhakrishnan secured 14 more. At least 15 Opposition MPs are believed to have voted for him. The Congress had claimed the support of 315 MPs, yet Justice Reddy received only 300. BJP leaders quickly seized on the defections, terming them evidence of Opposition disunity ahead of key state elections.

Mr Radhakrishnan, a senior Tamil Nadu BJP leader, twice represented Coimbatore in the Lok Sabha and earlier headed the party’s state unit. Known for his affable nature and cross-party friendships, he has served as Governor of Jharkhand, with additional charge of Telangana and Puducherry. His nomination was seen as a strategic move to stir fissures in the Opposition, particularly in Tamil Nadu politics.

Reacting to the result, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge congratulated the new Vice President but reminded him of his constitutional duty. “We hope the Vice President-elect will uphold parliamentary traditions, ensure dignity for the Opposition, and safeguard democratic values,” he posted on X.

With this victory, the NDA strengthens its hold over another key constitutional office, even as questions loom over Opposition unity.

Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA’s nominee, has been elected as India’s Vice President, succeeding Jagdeep Dhankhar. The 68-year-old secured 452 first preference votes against 300 polled by Opposition candidate and retired Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy.

A total of 754 MPs cast their votes, of which 15 were declared invalid. Among valid votes, Mr Radhakrishnan won by a margin of 150 – one of the lowest in recent Vice-Presidential elections. In contrast, Mr Dhankhar’s 2022 victory over Margaret Alva was by the largest margin in six polls.

The results indicate significant cross-voting. While the NDA and allies had 438 assured votes, Radhakrishnan secured 14 more. At least 15 Opposition MPs are believed to have voted for him. The Congress had claimed the support of 315 MPs, yet Justice Reddy received only 300. BJP leaders quickly seized on the defections, terming them evidence of Opposition disunity ahead of key state elections.

Mr Radhakrishnan, a senior Tamil Nadu BJP leader, twice represented Coimbatore in the Lok Sabha and earlier headed the party’s state unit. Known for his affable nature and cross-party friendships, he has served as Governor of Jharkhand, with additional charge of Telangana and Puducherry. His nomination was seen as a strategic move to stir fissures in the Opposition, particularly in Tamil Nadu politics.

Reacting to the result, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge congratulated the new Vice President but reminded him of his constitutional duty. “We hope the Vice President-elect will uphold parliamentary traditions, ensure dignity for the Opposition, and safeguard democratic values,” he posted on X.

With this victory, the NDA strengthens its hold over another key constitutional office, even as questions loom over Opposition unity.