The Vice-Presidential election in India concluded on Tuesday evening with NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan winning with a margin of 152 votes over Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy. Responses to Radhakrishnan's victory were quick, with his competitor and former Supreme Court Justice Reddy vowing to continue the "ideological battle." "The ideological battle continues with ever greater vigour," Reddy said in a statement, while accepting his defeat and noting that democracy is strengthened "by the spirit of dialogue, dissent, and participation." President Droupadi Murmu congratulated Radhakrishnan, saying his "decades of rich experience in public life will contribute significantly to the nation’s progress". I extend my best wishes to you for a successful and impactful tenure, she added. PM Modi reacts to Radhakrishnan's V-P poll victory Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the string of congratulatory messages that came pouring in from NDA coalition members. PM Modi expressed confidence that Radhakrishnan, the current Maharashtra Governor, will strengthen Constitutional values in his new role. "Congratulations to Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji on winning the 2025 Vice Presidential election. His life has always been devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalised. I am confident that he will be an outstanding VP, who will strengthen our Constitutional values and enhance Parliamentary discourse," Modi wrote on X. Former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar also greeted his successor. "Given your vast experience in public life, under your stewardship, the august office would certainly attain greater veneration and glory," the former V-P said in a statement. Dhankhar's abrupt resignation, citing health reasons, on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament on July 22, necessitated the election Tuesday. While congratulating Radhakrishnan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said his administrative knowledge will help bring out the best in parliamentary democracy. "I firmly believe that your sagacity as a leader who has risen from the grassroots of the society and profound knowledge about administration will help us in bringing out the best in our parliamentary democracy to serve the marginalised. I extend my warmest wishes to you for your journey as the custodian of the sanctity of the Upper House," Shah wrote on X. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "throughout his (Radhakrishnan's) distinguished public life, he has embodied humility, integrity and a deep commitment to service. His vast experience, profound knowledge of constitutional and legislative affairs and unwavering connect with the people will further enrich his new role." Reacting to the victory of his state's governor in polls, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said he has full faith that with Radhakrishnan's "experience, vision and guidance the country will touch new heights and achieve a more powerful and respected position on the global stage." "Your life has been a symbol of service, dedication and unwavering loyalty towards national interest. Your contribution in the field of education, social upliftment and good governance is a source of inspiration for the entire country. I have full faith that with your experience, vision and guidance the country will touch new heights and achieve a more powerful and respected position on the global stage. The guidance I received from you as the Governor of Maharashtra is invaluable, for this I will always be grateful to you. With the belief that this new journey of yours in the national interest may prove to be successful, effective and beneficial for the people," Fadnavis wrote on X. Among the first in the ruling coalition to extend wishes to Radhakrishnan, four-time MP Nishikant Dubey took a jab at Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi saying that the Vice-President was "elected using ballot paper and not EVM," in light of the Opposition's push for ballot papers. The BJP veteran also shared pictures of himself having sweets with MP Manoj Tiwari. How did Opposition react? Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge said he hopes the new Vice President-elect "will uphold the highest ethos of Parliamentary traditions, ensuring equal space and dignity for the Opposition, and not succumb to pressures of the ruling dispensation." "As we move forward, transparency, accountability, and respect for Constitutional positions must guide our institutions in letter and spirit," he added. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh reiterated Reddy's call, adding that the BJP's "arithmetical victory is really both a moral and political defeat." "The Opposition stood united for the Vice Presidential election. Its performance has undeniably been most respectable. Its joint candidate Justice (retd) B. Sudershan Reddy secured 40% of the vote. In 2022, the Opposition had received 26% of the vote in the Vice Presidential Elections. The BJP's arithmetical victory is really both a moral and political defeat. The ideological battle continues undiminished," the Congress' secretary in-charge of communications wrote on X. A total of 767 votes were cast, of which 752 were valid and 15 were invalid, said Returning Officer PC Mody. The vote count ended on Tuesday evening with Radhakrishnan securing 452 votes against Reddy who won 300 votes. A member of the RSS and BJP since his youth, Radhakrishnan had won the Coimbatore Lok Sabha seat in 1998 and 1999, with the highest margins in the Tamil Nadu at the time. He is a respected figure in his home state's politics as well; a senior leader of the DMK told The Indian Express that Radhakrishnan was “a good man in the wrong party,” likening him to Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
