In a significant political development, India’s second-highest constitutional position, the Vice Presidency, is set to be contested by two prominent figures from South India. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has nominated C. P. Radhakrishnan, a veteran politician from Tamil Nadu and the current Governor of Maharashtra. In a counter-move, the opposition INDIA bloc has fielded B. Sudershan Reddy, a distinguished former Supreme Court judge hailing from Andhra Pradesh. This contest not only highlights the political and legal heft of the candidates but also underscores the strategic importance of South India in the national political landscape.
This vice-presidential election is particularly noteworthy as it follows the recent resignation of the previous Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, in July 2025, and is scheduled to be held on September 9, 2025. The election process, governed by a unique electoral college comprising members of both Houses of Parliament, will determine the successor to this crucial office, which plays a dual role as both the Vice President of India and the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
C. P. Radhakrishnan: A Political Journey from Grassroots to Governorship
The NDA’s choice, C. P. Radhakrishnan, is a seasoned politician with a career spanning over four decades. Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, he has been deeply rooted in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since his youth. His political journey began with his election to the Jan Sangh’s state executive committee in 1974.
Radhakrishnan’s rise to national prominence was marked by his election to the Lok Sabha from the Coimbatore constituency in 1998 and 1999. His victory in 1998 was particularly significant, as he was one of the few BJP candidates to win in Tamil Nadu at the time, a feat achieved through the party’s alliance with the AIADMK. During his parliamentary tenure, he served on key committees, including the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Textiles and the Parliamentary Committee for Public Sector Undertakings. His experience also extends to international diplomacy, as he was part of India’s parliamentary delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in 2004.
Beyond his parliamentary work, Radhakrishnan has held several key organizational and administrative roles. He served as the BJP’s state president for Tamil Nadu from 2004 to 2006, a period during which he undertook a massive ‘Ratha Yatra’ campaign. His administrative acumen was further recognized when he was appointed Chairman of the Coir Board in 2016, where he oversaw record coir exports.
More recently, Radhakrishnan has been serving in gubernatorial capacities, a testament to his experience and the trust placed in him by the central government. He was appointed Governor of Jharkhand in February 2023 and, in a significant elevation, took over as the Governor of Maharashtra in July 2024. He also held additional charges as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry for a brief period in 2024. His extensive background in both party politics and government administration positions him as a strong and well-rounded candidate for the Vice Presidency.
Sudershan Reddy: A Jurist of Distinction and Champion of Justice
The INDIA bloc’s joint candidate, B. Sudershan Reddy, brings a different kind of gravitas to the contest—that of an eminent jurist with a long and distinguished legal career. Born on July 8, 1946, he was enrolled as an advocate in 1971 and practiced in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh, specializing in writ and civil matters.
Justice Reddy’s judicial career is marked by a steady ascent through the ranks of the Indian judiciary. He was appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995. His reputation for legal scholarship and commitment to justice led to his appointment as Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in 2005. The pinnacle of his career came in 2007 when he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India.
Throughout his time on the bench, Justice Reddy earned a reputation as a “distinguished and progressive jurist” and a courageous champion of social, economic, and political justice. He is known for his judgments that favored the marginalized and protected the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. Following his retirement from the Supreme Court in 2011, he was appointed as the first Lokayukta of Goa in 2013, though he resigned within months citing personal reasons.
The opposition’s choice of a candidate with a strong legal background is a strategic one. It frames the contest as an “ideological battle,” as stated by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. By nominating a figure known for his commitment to constitutional principles and justice, the INDIA bloc aims to project a counter-narrative to the ruling government’s agenda.
The Electoral Battle and the Role of the Vice President
The Vice President of India holds a unique and critical position in the country’s constitutional framework. The office is the second-highest constitutional post after the President and is modeled on the American Vice Presidency. The Vice President has a dual role:
Ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha: This is the primary function of the Vice President. In this capacity, they preside over the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha, ensuring the smooth functioning of the Upper House of Parliament and maintaining decorum. They do not have the right to vote on a motion in the house, but can cast a deciding vote in the event of a tie.
Acting President: The Vice President steps in to assume the functions of the President in case of a vacancy due to the President’s death, resignation, impeachment, or inability to perform their duties. This is a temporary role, and the Vice President can only act as President for a maximum of six months, during which a new President must be elected. While acting as President, the Vice President does not perform the duties of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, which are then handled by the Deputy Chairman.
The Vice-Presidential election is conducted through a secret ballot by an electoral college that consists of all the members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members. The election is based on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
Given the current composition of the Parliament, the NDA, with its significant majority in both houses, is considered to have a clear advantage in the election. However, the opposition’s nomination of a respected and non-political figure like B. Sudershan Reddy adds a layer of ideological and moral dimension to the contest. The outcome of this election will not only fill a vital constitutional post but also serve as a barometer of the current political climate in India.
