BJP Names Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as NDA’s Vice Presidential Candidate
In a significant political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced on Sunday, August 17, 2025, that Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan will be the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election, scheduled for September 9, 2025. The announcement was made by BJP national president and Union Minister J.P. Nadda following a parliamentary board meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi (Anand, 2025).
Decision-Making Process
The decision to nominate CP Radhakrishnan was finalized during the BJP’s parliamentary board meeting, attended by key leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The choice came just days before the August 21 nomination deadline, ending weeks of speculation about the successor to former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned unexpectedly on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons (Trivedi, 2025).
The 11-member parliamentary board, the BJP’s highest decision-making body, deliberated extensively on potential candidates, with Radhakrishnan emerging as a consensus choice. “CP Radhakrishnan, considered a statesman, commands respect in all sections of society in Tamil Nadu,” Nadda said during a press conference, emphasizing the party’s intent to secure a unanimous election by reaching out to opposition leaders (Hebbar, 2025).
Who is CP Radhakrishnan?
Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, is a seasoned BJP leader with a strong grassroots connection and a long association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). A member of the influential Gounder caste, an OBC community in Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan has been a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape for over four decades (Varma, 2025).
- Political Career: Radhakrishnan joined the Jan Sangh, the precursor to the BJP, at the age of 16. He served as the Tamil Nadu BJP state president from 2004 to 2007 and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999.
- Gubernatorial Roles: He has served as the Governor of Maharashtra since July 31, 2024, and previously held the governorship of Jharkhand from February 2023 to July 2024, with additional charges as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry in 2024.
- Notable Initiatives: As Tamil Nadu BJP president, he led a 19,000-km ‘Ratha Yatra’ to advocate for issues like river interlinking, eradicating terrorism, and implementing a uniform civil code.
Known for his affability and ability to connect across political divides, Radhakrishnan has been dubbed the “Vajpayee of Coimbatore” by supporters. His extensive experience and ideological alignment with the BJP make him a strategic choice for the Vice President’s role, which also involves chairing the Rajya Sabha (The Print, 2025).
Strategic Implications
The nomination of Radhakrishnan reflects the BJP’s efforts to strengthen its presence in Tamil Nadu ahead of the state’s assembly elections in 2026. His selection as an OBC leader also bolsters the NDA’s outreach to backward communities, especially in the context of upcoming elections in Bihar. Prime Minister Modi praised Radhakrishnan’s dedication, stating on X: “In his long years in public life, Thiru C.P. Radhakrishnan Ji has distinguished himself with his dedication, humility and intellect” (Anand, 2025).
The opposition INDIA bloc is yet to announce its candidate, with discussions scheduled for August 18, 2025. However, with the NDA’s numerical advantage, Radhakrishnan’s victory appears assured, though the BJP is keen to project a united front by seeking opposition support (Hebbar, 2025).
Reactions and Support
The announcement has garnered widespread support within the NDA. Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi expressed full backing, stating, “We stand with the NDA from the streets to the Parliament.” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, congratulated Radhakrishnan, highlighting his selection as a matter of pride for the state (Varma, 2025).
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described Radhakrishnan as a “veteran statesman who has diligently served the nation in numerous roles.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended congratulations, expressing confidence in Radhakrishnan’s ability to enhance the prestige of the Rajya Sabha (The Print, 2025).
Election Timeline and Process
The Election Commission of India issued a notice on August 7, 2025, outlining the schedule for the Vice Presidential election:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Date for Filing Nominations | August 21, 2025 |
| Election Date | September 9, 2025 |
| Result Announcement | September 9, 2025 |
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will oversee the election process, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju serving as the polling agent. All NDA chief ministers and deputy chief ministers are expected to participate in the nomination filing on August 21, 2025 (Anand, 2025).
Background of the Vacancy
The Vice Presidential election was necessitated by Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation on July 21, 2025, during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. While Dhankhar cited health reasons, speculation about differences with the government surfaced, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh suggesting there might be “far more” to the resignation. Radhakrishnan’s nomination is seen as a move to ensure ideological alignment and stability in the Rajya Sabha, where the Vice President serves as the ex-officio chairman (Trivedi, 2025).
References
Anand, J. (2025, August 17). BJP names Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate. The Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bjp-names-maharashtra-governor-cp-radhakrishnan-as-nda-vice-presidential-candidate-10195039/
Hebbar, N. (2025, August 17). Maharashtra Governor, former Coimbatore MP C.P. Radhakrishnan is NDA’s vice-presidential pick. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra-governor-cp-radhakrishnan-is-nda-vice-president-candidate/article69944493.ece
The Print. (2025, August 18). NDA picks Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as vice-president candidate. The Print. https://theprint.in/india/nda-picks-maharashtra-governor-cp-radhakrishnan-as-vice-president-candidate/2723020/
Trivedi, A. (2025, August 17). CP Radhakrishnan to replace Jagdeep Dhankhar as new Veep? NDA names new pick. India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bjp-names-maharashtra-governor-cp-radhakrishnan-as-ndas-vice-president-candidate-2772504-2025-08-17
Varma, A. (2025, August 17). Who Is CP Radhakrishnan—NDA’s Pick Who Could Be The Next Vice President of India? Times Now. https://www.timesnownews.com/india/who-is-cp-radhakrishnan-maharashtra-governor-is-ndas-pick-to-be-the-next-vice-president-of-india-article-152479207
