CP Radhakrishnan sworn in as India’s 15th Vice-President
Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader from Tamil Nadu with strong ties to RSS, secured 452 votes in the election
PTC Web Desk: Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan was sworn in as the 15th Vice-President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office at 10.10 am in English.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Vice-Presidents Jagdeep Dhankhar and M. Venkaiah Naidu, former President Ram Nath Kovind, and senior Union ministers, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and Nitin Gadkari.
Radhakrishnan, 67, a seasoned BJP leader from Tamil Nadu with strong ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), secured 452 votes in the election. His rival, Opposition INDIA bloc nominee and retired Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy, received 300 votes.
Given the NDA’s numerical advantage of 427 MPs, bolstered by support from the YSR Congress Party’s 11 MPs and several smaller parties, Radhakrishnan’s win was largely anticipated. Reports also suggest instances of cross-voting in his favour. The halfway mark to victory was 377.
The election followed the unexpected resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 due to health concerns.
Ahead of his oath-taking, Radhakrishnan stepped down as Governor of Maharashtra on Thursday. President Murmu has handed Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat additional charge of Maharashtra until a successor is appointed.
A two-time MP from Coimbatore and former BJP Tamil Nadu president, Radhakrishnan’s political journey began with the Jana Sangh before evolving into a long-standing career with the BJP.