Radhakrishnan Leads NDA Race for Vice-President 2025

The race for India's Vice-President is heating up, and CP Radhakrishnan, the candidate backed by the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is currently leading with a strong advantage. The Vice-Presidential election taking place soon has put Radhakrishnan, Maharashtra's current Governor and a senior BJP leader, in a favorable position thanks to substantial support within the Parliament. His main competition is Justice (retired) B. Sudershan Reddy, supported by the INDIA opposition bloc, but recent developments and numbers clearly tilt the scales toward Radhakrishnan.

Radhakrishnan comes with a rich political background and a steady career spanning over four decades. Born in Tamil Nadu in 1957, he began his public life with the RSS before rising through the ranks in the BJP and Indian politics, including two terms as a Lok Sabha MP and holding key posts such as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Textiles and member of several parliamentary committees. He served as BJP's state president in Tamil Nadu, contributed significantly to the Coir Board exports, and held gubernatorial positions in Jharkhand, Telangana, Puducherry, and Maharashtra. This extensive experience and organizational background give him a solid platform for the Vice-President's role, which requires both political acumen and administrative skill.

As per the latest figures, the NDA has an overwhelming majority in the electoral college, which includes both houses of Parliament. The alliance commands around 425 MPs, well above the required 391 majority mark, compared to the opposition's 324 MPs backing Justice Sudershan Reddy. Significant political players like the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) have decided to abstain from voting, which further strengthens Radhakrishnan’s position. This numeric edge is crucial because the Vice-President is elected by Members of Parliament through a secret ballot and proportional representation system, making the party alignments and backing decisive factors.

Many BJP MPs have expressed confidence in Radhakrishnan’s victory, citing the NDA’s numerical strength in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The ruling party believes Radhakrishnan will achieve not only party votes but also attract cross-voting from other members, ensuring a comfortable win. The voting process is conducted with utmost secrecy and care, and both sides have conducted mock polls to train MPs to avoid invalid votes, underscoring the election's importance and the stakes involved.

From a broader perspective, this Vice-Presidential race reflects the current political landscape in India, where the BJP-led NDA continues to maintain a strong grip over parliamentary numbers. The office of the Vice-President, being the second-highest constitutional post in the country, traditionally requires a candidate who can effectively play a neutral and stabilizing role in the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House), presiding over debates and ensuring parliamentary decorum. Radhakrishnan’s vast legislative experience and long association with parliamentary affairs position him as a figure expected to fulfill this role with wisdom and dignity.

Nevertheless, the opposition candidate, Justice Sudershan Reddy, is a respected former Supreme Court judge and has the backing of a significant section of MPs. His candidacy brings forth the emphasis on judicial experience and constitutional values. The contest, thus, is not just about numbers but also presents different visions of leadership and responsibilities that come with the Vice-President’s role.

In conclusion, the Vice-Presidential election is set against a backdrop of clear numerical advantage for the NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan, highlighted by his long political career and organizational strength. While the opposition fields a candidate with judicial credentials, the current political arithmetic suggests a likely victory for Radhakrishnan. The election is an opportunity for the Parliament to choose a leader capable of upholding the constitutional duties entrusted to the Vice-President in a balanced and dignified manner. The results will be announced after voting concludes, providing the final verdict on this important democratic exercise.

This election also signals the continuing dominance of the NDA coalition in shaping India’s central leadership positions, reflecting larger trends in parliamentary politics today, while maintaining the respectful democratic process that is key to India’s governance.

With inputs from agencies

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