India’s VP Election Today | Radhakrishnan vs Reddy

India’s Vice Presidential Election 2025: Radhakrishnan vs. Reddy (September 9, 2025)

On September 9, 2025, India is set to elect its 15th Vice President in a high-stakes contest between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee, C.P. Radhakrishnan, and the opposition INDIA bloc’s candidate, B. Sudershan Reddy. This election, necessitated by the unexpected resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, 2025, due to health reasons, is being held at the Parliament House in New Delhi. Voting began at 10:00 AM and will conclude at 5:00 PM, with counting starting at 6:00 PM and results expected by late evening. The election marks a significant moment in Indian politics, reflecting the strength of the ruling NDA and the opposition’s resolve to challenge it. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the election, the candidates, the electoral process, key political dynamics, and what the outcome could mean for India’s political landscape.

Why the Election is Happening

The vice presidential election was triggered by Jagdeep Dhankhar’s mid-term resignation, a rare event in India’s history, marking only the third instance of a Vice President stepping down before completing their term. Dhankhar, who assumed office on August 11, 2022, cited health concerns for his resignation, leaving two years of his five-year tenure unfulfilled. According to Article 68(2) of the Indian Constitution, an election to fill a vacancy in the Vice President’s office must be held “as soon as possible” after it becomes vacant. The Election Commission of India announced the election schedule on August 1, 2025, setting September 9 as the polling date.

The Vice President, as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, plays a crucial role in India’s parliamentary system. The elected candidate will serve a full five-year term, presiding over the Upper House and contributing to legislative proceedings. With the NDA holding a numerical advantage and the opposition framing the contest as an ideological battle, the election has garnered significant attention.

The Candidates: C.P. Radhakrishnan and B. Sudershan Reddy

The election pits two distinct candidates against each other, each representing different backgrounds and political ideologies.

C.P. Radhakrishnan (NDA Candidate)

C.P. Radhakrishnan, aged 67, is a seasoned Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and the current Governor of Maharashtra. Hailing from Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan belongs to the Goundar-Kongu Vellalar community, an Other Backward Class (OBC) group, and is known for his deep-rooted association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His political career spans decades, with notable achievements including:

• Lok Sabha Tenure: Elected twice from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999 during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government, making him the only BJP leader from Tamil Nadu to achieve this feat.
• Gubernatorial Roles: Served as Governor of Jharkhand, Telangana, and Puducherry, and since July 31, 2024, as Maharashtra’s Governor.
• Organizational Leadership: Led the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit and spearheaded a 93-day ‘Ratha Yatra’ in the state, showcasing his organizational skills.
• Parliamentary Contributions: Chaired the Standing Committee on Textiles and held key roles in parliamentary committees.

Radhakrishnan is projected as a soft-spoken, untainted leader with rich political and administrative experience, ideal for presiding over the Rajya Sabha. His RSS background and OBC identity strengthen his appeal within the NDA’s voter base. On the morning of September 9, 2025, he visited Shree Ram Mandir in Delhi to offer prayers, expressing confidence in a “big victory for Indian nationalism” and India’s goal to become a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).

B. Sudershan Reddy (INDIA Bloc Candidate)

B. Sudershan Reddy, aged 79, is a retired Supreme Court judge from Telangana, nominated by the opposition INDIA bloc. Born on July 8, 1946, in Akula Mylaram village, Andhra Pradesh, Reddy comes from an agricultural family and has a distinguished judicial career. His key credentials include:

• Judicial Career: Appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995, Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court in 2005, and Supreme Court judge from 2007 to 2011.
• Landmark Judgments: Known for declaring the Salwa Judum militia in Chhattisgarh unconstitutional and criticizing the Union government for laxity in probing black money cases. He also served as Goa’s first Lokayukta, though he resigned after seven months for personal reasons.
• Telangana Connection: Headed an expert panel on Telangana’s caste survey, enhancing his regional appeal.

The INDIA bloc, led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, frames Reddy’s candidacy as an ideological stand for constitutional values and social justice, contrasting him with Radhakrishnan’s RSS-backed profile. Reddy has urged MPs to vote based on conscience, calling the election a “vote for the spirit of India.” On September 8, 2025, he met MPs like Hanuman Beniwal and Chandrasekhar Azad to secure support, describing these interactions as “memorable moments” in his campaign.

The Electoral Process

The Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both Houses of Parliament—543 Lok Sabha members and 245 Rajya Sabha members, including 12 nominated Rajya Sabha members. As of September 9, 2025, the electoral college consists of 781 members due to one Lok Sabha vacancy and six Rajya Sabha vacancies, setting the majority mark at 391 votes.

The election follows the system of proportional representation using the single transferable vote (STV) method, conducted via secret ballot. MPs rank candidates in order of preference, and votes are transferred until a candidate achieves the required majority. The secret ballot ensures MPs are not bound by party whips, introducing the possibility of cross-voting. The Election Commission oversees the process, with Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody serving as the Returning Officer.

Voting takes place at Vasudha Hall in the new Parliament building, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi casting the first vote, followed by MPs from Punjab and Haryana. Polling agents for Radhakrishnan include Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu (TDP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JD(U)), Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena), and Kiren Rijiju, while Reddy’s agents are Syed Naseer Hussain, Manickam Tagore, and Shatabdi Roy.

Political Dynamics and Numbers Game

The NDA holds a clear numerical advantage with 425 MPs (293 in Lok Sabha, 132 in Rajya Sabha), bolstered by the support of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) with 11 MPs, taking its tally to 436. The INDIA bloc has 324 MPs (249 in Lok Sabha, 75 in Rajya Sabha), including support from parties like Congress, DMK, RJD, JMM, TMC, AAP, and AIMIM’s sole MP, Asaduddin Owaisi. However, three regional parties—Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)—with a combined 12 MPs, have announced they will abstain from voting, citing regional priorities like flood relief in Punjab and political neutrality in Odisha.

The NDA’s numerical edge, with an estimated 427 votes, positions Radhakrishnan as the frontrunner. BJP leaders, including Trivendra Singh Rawat and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, have expressed confidence in a decisive victory, predicting cross-voting in Radhakrishnan’s favor due to his reputation and the NDA’s unity. The opposition, while acknowledging the numerical disadvantage, sees the election as an opportunity to project unity and gain momentum ahead of upcoming Assembly polls in Bihar, Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. Congress leader Manickam Tagore criticized YSRCP’s support for Radhakrishnan, accusing its leader Jagan Mohan Reddy of “betraying democratic forces” out of fear of CBI cases.

The opposition’s choice of Reddy, a non-political figure, aims to frame the election as a battle between constitutional values and RSS ideology. Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad emphasized this narrative, stating, “On one side are those who want to protect the Constitution, and on the other are those who weaken it.” Despite this, NDA sources claim up to 150 cross-votes in the Rajya Sabha alone, potentially widening Radhakrishnan’s margin.

Regional and Ideological Narratives

The election has a distinct South Indian flavor, with both candidates hailing from the region—Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu and Reddy from Telangana. This has created strategic dilemmas for regional parties. The NDA’s nomination of Radhakrishnan, a Tamil leader, puts pressure on the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), a key INDIA bloc ally, as voting against a local candidate could alienate Tamil voters. Similarly, the opposition’s choice of Reddy, a Telugu judge, challenges Andhra Pradesh and Telangana-based parties like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), YSRCP, and BRS. TDP leader Nara Lokesh reaffirmed support for Radhakrishnan, stating, “The NDA stands united,” but the opposition hopes to sway regional sentiments.

The INDIA bloc’s campaign emphasizes Reddy’s judicial integrity and constitutional expertise, contrasting it with Radhakrishnan’s RSS roots. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi dismissed these claims, arguing that internal dissent within Congress would boost the NDA’s chances. Meanwhile, the abstention of BJD, BRS, and SAD reflects their focus on regional issues, with BJD prioritizing Odisha’s welfare and SAD citing inadequate flood relief in Punjab.

Implications of the Outcome

The outcome of the September 9, 2025, election will have far-reaching implications:

• NDA Victory: A win for Radhakrishnan would reinforce the BJP-led alliance’s dominance in Parliament and boost its narrative of ‘Viksit Bharat.’ As Rajya Sabha Chairman, Radhakrishnan’s administrative experience could ensure smoother legislative proceedings, particularly for contentious bills.
• INDIA Bloc’s Strategy: Even if Reddy loses, a competitive vote count would signal the opposition’s growing cohesion, setting the stage for future electoral battles. The bloc’s focus on cross-voting and ideological messaging aims to appeal to MPs’ conscience and public sentiment.
• South Indian Representation: The election underscores the increasing prominence of South Indian leaders in national politics, with both candidates representing the region’s diversity and influence.

The new Vice President will earn a salary of ₹4 lakh per month as Rajya Sabha Chairman, along with perks like official accommodation, medical care, and security. The role, while ceremonial, carries significant responsibility in maintaining parliamentary decorum and facilitating debates.

Conclusion

The Vice Presidential election on September 9, 2025, is more than a contest between C.P. Radhakrishnan and B. Sudershan Reddy—it’s a reflection of India’s political dynamics, regional strategies, and ideological divides. With the NDA holding a numerical edge, Radhakrishnan is poised to become India’s 15th Vice President, but the opposition’s spirited campaign, led by Reddy’s constitutional credentials, adds intrigue to the secret ballot process. As MPs cast their votes in Vasudha Hall, the outcome will shape the Rajya Sabha’s leadership and influence the political narrative ahead of crucial state elections.

For citizens, this election highlights the importance of the Vice President’s role in India’s democracy, from presiding over the Upper House to upholding constitutional values. Stay tuned for results by late evening, as India welcomes its new Vice President in a historic moment of transition.

Disclaimer: The information is based on data available as of September 9, 2025. For real-time updates, refer to official sources like the Election Commission of India or trusted news outlets.