The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Sunday named Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan as its choice for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. The decision was taken at the BJP parliamentary board meeting held at the party headquarters in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president J P Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were among the leaders present at the deliberations.
Announcing the decision, BJP chief J P Nadda said, “Maharashtra governor C P Radhakrishnan is vice presidential candidate of ruling National Democratic Alliance.”
NDA Seeks Uncontested Vice-Presidential Election
He added that the ruling bloc is making efforts to ensure the election is uncontested. “We will talk to the opposition as well. We should also get their support so that together we can ensure an unopposed election for the post of Vice President. As we said earlier, we have been in touch with them, and our senior leaders have contacted them earlier as well and even now, we will remain in touch with them, and all our NDA colleagues have supported us. CP Radhakrishnan is our NDA’s candidate for Vice President,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi: Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan will be the NDA’s candidate for the Vice Presidential election, says BJP national president and Union Minister JP Nadda pic.twitter.com/VzSJVjoF6p
— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2025
‘Dedication, Humility And Intellect’: PM Modi Lauds NDA’s Vice President Pick
PM Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement with a statement on X, “In his long years in public life, Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji has distinguished himself with his dedication, humility and intellect. During the various positions he has held, he has always focused on community service and empowering the marginalised. He has done extensive work at the grassroots in Tamil Nadu. I am glad that the NDA family has decided to nominate him as the Vice Presidential candidate of our alliance.”
Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji has rich experience as MP and Governor of various states. His Parliamentary interventions were always incisive. During his gubernatorial tenures, he focused on addressing challenges faced by common citizens. These experiences ensured that he has vast…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2025
“Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji has rich experience as MP and Governor of various states. His Parliamentary interventions were always incisive. During his gubernatorial tenures, he focused on addressing challenges faced by common citizens. These experiences ensured that he has vast knowledge of legislative and Constitutional matters. I am confident he will be an inspiring Vice President,” the prime minister added, highlighting Radhakrishnan’s extensive experience.
Radhakrishnan thanked PM Modi for his nomination: “My heartfelt thanks to our beloved People’s leader, our most respected Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji for nominating me as the NDA Vice Presidential candidate and giving me the opportunity to serve the Nation.”
In another post, he also thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda and senior NDA leaders, “I am moved and touched beyond words for the confidence they have in me and giving me the opportunity to serve the Nation. I assure to work hard for the Nation until my last breath. Jai Hind!”
My heartfelt thanks to our beloved People’s leader our most respected Honourable Prime Minister Shri. @narendramodi Ji , our beloved most respected Honourable Home Minister Shri. @AmitShah Ji, our beloved most respected Honourable Central Minister and @BJP4India President Shri.…
— CP Radhakrishnan (@CPRGuv) August 17, 2025
Earlier, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also declared support for the NDA nominee, writing on X, “We fully support the NDA candidate for Vice President, C.P. Radhakrishnan. We stand with the NDA from the streets to the Parliament.”
The announcement follows a resolution passed earlier on 6 August, when NDA leaders had authorised Prime Minister Modi and J P Nadda to select the alliance’s candidate.
According to sources cited by news agency ANI, the Vice Presidential election will be held under the supervision of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on behalf of the NDA. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has been made the election agent. In line with NDA’s bid for an unopposed VP election, Rajnath Singh dialled Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to seek support for NDA’s vice-presidential candidate, ANI sources said.
INDIA Bloc Meeting To Form Consensus For Vice Presidential Candidate
Meanwhile, the Opposition’s INDIA bloc is preparing to field its own candidate. According to news agency ANI, INDIA bloc leaders to meet Monday at 10.15 am in the office of Rajya Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament.
According to The New Indian Express, Kharge’s meeting of floor leaders is to finalise a common nominee. Sources told the publication that Kharge has been engaged in backchannel discussions with leaders of other parties to push for a consensus name.
At a meeting last week chaired by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, INDIA bloc partners had resolved to contest the poll after a collective decision on a joint candidate. Leaders at the meeting argued that despite NDA’s numerical advantage, the Opposition should enter the fray to send out a strong political message.
Vice President Election Schedule
The Election Commission has already released the timetable for the Vice-Presidential poll. Nominations can be filed until 21 August, with scrutiny set for 22 August. The last date to withdraw candidature is 25 August. If contested, voting will take place on 9 September between 10 AM and 5 PM in Parliament House, with counting scheduled for the same evening.
The election was necessitated by the resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on 21 July. Dhankhar, 74, stepped down citing health issues. In his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, posted on his official X account, he wrote, “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice-President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.”
The combined strength of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is 782, with a candidate requiring 391 votes for victory. While the NDA commands the support of 293 MPs in the Lok Sabha and about 130 in the Rajya Sabha, the INDIA bloc has 234 members in the Lower House. In the Rajya Sabha (the upper house), the INDIA bloc has 77 MPs.
All members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including the nominated ones, elect the vice president. The NDA has the numbers on its side with a strength of around 422 members.