Vice President Election Results 2025 Highlights: CP Radhakrishnan likely to take oath on September 12 as V-P

Former vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar Tuesday extended greetings to his successor C P Radhakrishnan, saying that the office of the vice president will attain greater glory with his vast experience.

This was Dhankhar's first public statement since demitting office in July.

On Tuesday, NDA nominee Radhakrishnan won the vice-presidential election by bagging 452 votes, while Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy polled 300 votes.

In a letter to Radhakrishnan, Dhankhar said: "Your elevation to this august office reflects the trust and confidence by the representatives of our nation."

He said given Radhakrishnan's vast experience in public life, under his stewardship, the office would "certainly attain greater veneration and glory".

In a surprise move, Dhankhar had quit as the vice president on July 21 citing health issues. His sudden resignation led to the fresh vice presidential polls.

Soon after NDA candidate C P Radhakrishnan won the vice presidential polls, the Congress on Tuesday said the Opposition stood united for the election with a "most respectable" performance and claimed that the BJP's arithmetical victory is both "moral and political defeat".

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge extended best wishes to Radhakrishnan on securing victory in the election, while also expressing sincere gratitude to B Sudershan Reddy for being the "united Opposition's joint candidate" and for his spirited and principled fight.

"This was more than an election; it was a battle of ideology, reaffirming that governments with authoritarian tendencies must be checked to protect our Constitution and democracy," Kharge said on X.

"We hope 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," the Congress chief said.

The vice president, the second highest constitutional office in the order of precedence, must be revitalised to reflect independence, fairness, and strength in safeguarding democratic values, Kharge said.

"We must also remember why this election was necessitated. Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned suddenly on the very day he chaired the opening of the Monsoon Session—an exit still unexplained and unceremonious," he said.

"As we move forward, transparency, accountability, and respect for Constitutional positions must guide our institutions in letter and spirit," Kharge said.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh asserted that 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," Ramesh said.

"The BJP's arithmetical victory is really both a moral and political defeat. The ideological battle continues undiminished," Ramesh said.

NDA candidate C P Radhakrishnan won the vice presidential election on Tuesday by bagging 452 votes, while opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy polled 300 votes, Returning Officer P C Mody said. PTI

Saying that the "ideological battle continues with ever greater vigour", Opposition candidate Justice B Sudershan Reddy released a statement accepting the outcome.

"Today, the MPs have rendered their verdict in the election for the office of the Vice President of India. I humbly accept this outcome with an abiding faith in the democratic processes of our great Republic...Though the result is not in my favour, the larger cause we have collectively sought to advance remains undiminished. The ideological battle continues with ever greater vigour...I wish the Vice President-elect Shri CP Radhakrishnan the very best as he embarks upon his tenure," he wrote.

Read the full statement

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: "Congratulations to Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan ji on being elected as the Vice President of India. Throughout his 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.

I am confident that under his leadership, the Rajya Sabha will scale new heights and our parliamentary traditions will be further strengthened. My best wishes to him for a successful and impactful tenure."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated NDA V-P candidate CP Radhakrishnan after he won the elections. "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," Shah said.

Out of 781 MPs, 767 members of parliament voted, coming to 98.2 per cent of the total.

Of these, 752 voted were held as valid and 15 termed invalid.

The quota or halfway mark was 377.

The NDA candidate C P Radhakrishnan received 452 first preference votes. The Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy got 300 first preference votes.

This way the victory margin was of 152 votes

PC Mody, Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha says: "NDA nominee and Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan got 452 first preference votes. He has been elected as the Vice-President of India... Opposition's vice-presidential candidate Justice Sudershan Reddy secured 300 first preference votes."

in the vice-presidential election Tuesday, 12 MPs out of 781 did not vote, official sources said after polling concluded.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to social media platform X to post that Opposition's all "315 MPs have turned up for voting", resulting in an "unprecedented 100% turnout".

The Vice-Presidential contest is entering its final leg with 96 per cent votes polled till 3 PM, news agency PTI reported.

Watch the video to find out how a Vice-President is elected

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday claimed the decision of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) and Shiromani Akali Dal to stay away from the vice presidential poll was a setback to the ruling BJP.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Raut asserted the Opposition INDIA bloc votes will remain intact in the poll and the fight will be eventful.

Voting was underway on Tuesday to elect a new vice president, for which the contest is between NDA nominee C P Radhakrishnan and joint Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy.

The Naveen Patnaik-headed BJD and the KCR-led BRS have abstained from voting in the vice presidential election, while the Shiromani Akali Dal said it will boycott the poll in the wake of floods in Punjab.-PTI