Vice Presidential Election 2025: NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan vs INDIA Alliance’s Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy
The battle for India’s second-highest constitutional post has officially begun. The NDA has nominated CP Radhakrishnan, while the INDIA Alliance has fielded retired Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy for the post of Vice President. Interestingly, both contenders come from South India.
Nominations will be accepted until August 21, while voting is scheduled for September 9.
Who is CP Radhakrishnan? (NDA Candidate)
Currently serving as the Governor of Maharashtra, CP Radhakrishnan is a seasoned BJP politician with a long association with the RSS, which he joined at the age of 17. Over the years, he has played key roles in Tamil Nadu politics and also represented Coimbatore in the Lok Sabha.
Political Career Highlights:
- 1996: BJP Tamil Nadu Secretary
- 1998–1999: MP from Coimbatore
- 2004–2007: Tamil Nadu BJP President
- 2016–2020: Choir Board President
- 2020–2022: BJP’s Kerala In-Charge
- 2023: Governor of Jharkhand (also held additional charge of Telangana & Puducherry)
- 2024: Appointed Governor of Maharashtra
Who is Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy? (INDIA Alliance Candidate)
At 79 years of age, Justice (Retd.) B. Sudarshan Reddy brings decades of legal experience. Born on 8 July 1948 in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, he served in key judicial positions before his retirement. Currently, he is a trustee at the International Arbitration and Mediation Centre (IAMC), Hyderabad.
Legal Career Highlights:
- 1971: Began practice at Andhra Pradesh High Court (specialised in constitutional, civil, criminal, tax cases)
- 1988: Advocate General of Andhra Pradesh
- 1995: Judge, Andhra Pradesh High Court
- 2005: Chief Justice, Gauhati High Court
- 2007: Judge, Supreme Court of India
- 2011: Retired from the Supreme Court
- Later became the first Lokayukta of Goa
Why South India for Vice President?
Political experts cite three major reasons:
- North-South Balance Tradition
- Traditionally, if the President is from North India, the Vice President is chosen from the South. With the current President hailing from the North, both alliances selected South Indian leaders.
- BJP’s Strategy to Expand in the South
- According to political analyst Rashid Kidwai, BJP wants to increase its influence in South India, where its presence is limited. CP Radhakrishnan’s candidature signals that BJP values southern leadership at the national level, especially with the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections due in 2026.
- INDIA Alliance’s Southern Stronghold
- The INDIA bloc, with key players like DMK and TMC, wanted a candidate from the South to consolidate its base. Rahul Gandhi represents Wayanad in Kerala, and Priyanka Gandhi is now also an MP from the region. Justice Reddy’s candidature strengthens this political message.
How is the Vice President Elected?
- The election is conducted under Article 66 of the Constitution and the Vice Presidential Election Rules, 1974.
- Candidates must secure 20 proposers among MPs to file nomination.
- Voting is done by secret ballot in Parliament, where both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs (elected and nominated) participate.
- A preference-based voting system is used, where MPs rank their choices. Votes of eliminated candidates are transferred until one candidate secures a majority.
- This year, 782 MPs are eligible to vote.
Who Has the Upper Hand?
The numbers currently favour the NDA:
- Lok Sabha: 543 seats (1 vacant) → NDA has 293 MPs
- Rajya Sabha: 245 seats (5 vacant) → NDA has 129 MPs
- Total Support for NDA: 422 MPs (well above the majority mark of 391)
On the other hand, the INDIA Alliance has around 312 MPs in both houses combined — much below the required majority.
Thus, CP Radhakrishnan holds a clear advantage in this election.
Why Did INDIA Alliance Still Field a Candidate?
Despite slim chances of victory, the INDIA Alliance chose to contest. Political commentator Rashid Kidwai explains that this move was necessary to project the alliance as a strong opposition. Not fielding a candidate would have weakened its position.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said Justice Reddy was chosen for his deep knowledge of the Constitution and democracy. Moreover, since voting is through secret ballot, MPs are free to vote beyond party lines, leaving room for surprises.
Powers of the Vice President
The Vice President is the second highest constitutional authority in India.
- Acts as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (but cannot vote, except in case of a tie).
- Takes charge if the President is unavailable, incapacitated, or the post falls vacant.
- Can act as President until fresh elections are held.
- Removal requires a Rajya Sabha resolution supported by a majority and agreement from the Lok Sabha.
The 2025 Vice Presidential election is poised to be a contest between NDA’s political heavyweight CP Radhakrishnan and INDIA Alliance’s legal luminary Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy.
While numbers favour the NDA, the INDIA Alliance’s participation underscores the importance of maintaining a strong opposition voice in India’s parliamentary democracy.