Is C.P. Radhakrishnan the New Vice President?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- C.P. Radhakrishnan elected as the new Vice President.
- Achieved 452 votes in a 'South vs South' contest.
- Strong turnout with 752 members voting.
- Will also serve as ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
- Election followed the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.
New Delhi, Sep 9 (NationPress) – NDA representative and Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan was elected as the new Vice President on Tuesday, achieving a significant victory in a notable ‘South vs South’ electoral contest.
During the announcement, Rajya Sabha Secretary-General P.C. Mody revealed that Radhakrishnan garnered 452 first preference votes, surpassing opposition candidate, former Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy, who received 300 first preference votes.
The election saw a robust turnout, with 752 members participating out of a total of 782 in the electoral college.
The Vice President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members from both Houses of Parliament – 233 elected and 12 nominated members of the Rajya Sabha (which currently has five vacancies) and 543 members of the Lok Sabha (with one vacancy). This year’s election held symbolic significance as both contenders hailed from the South.
Radhakrishnan, a seasoned politician from Tamil Nadu with deep ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was promoted by the NDA as a leader rooted in grassroots with substantial administrative experience.
On the other hand, Justice Reddy (retired), from Telangana, was portrayed by the opposition as a remarkable legal expert capable of reinforcing constitutional values in this esteemed position.
The election was carried out through a secret ballot, utilizing the system of proportional representation via a single transferable vote.
Radhakrishnan’s triumph bolsters the NDA’s count of significant constitutional offices.
This election was prompted by the abrupt resignation of the former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, whose term was set to continue until 2027, back in July.
As the Vice President, Radhakrishnan will also serve as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, a role that places him at the center of parliamentary activities, particularly amid frequent disruptions affecting the sessions of both houses.