India has elected CP Radhakrishnan, a nominee of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance, as the country’s next vice-president, weeks after the previous person to hold the post resigned abruptly.
Radhakrishnan won 452 valid votes in the 781-member electoral college – made up of members of the upper and lower houses of parliament – to defeat opposition-backed Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge.
A veteran BJP politician, Radhakrishnan is the current governor of Maharashtra state. He has also served on various parliamentary committees.
PM Narendra Modi congratulated him, saying he would make an “outstanding vice president” who will “strengthen constitutional values”.
The elections are significant as they were held after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post in July, citing health reasons.
Dhankhar took office in August 2022 and his term was set to run until 2027.
His abrupt resignation sparked speculation among opposition leaders about a possible rift between him and top BJP leaders in the government.
Dhankhar had ascribed his resignation to ill health, saying that he needed to “prioritise healthcare and abide by medical advice”, but opposition Congress leaders alleged that there were “far deeper reasons” behind his decision to step down.
Modi did not comment on his resignation other than wishing him good health.
Later, Home Minister Amit Shah dismissed rumours surrounding Dharkhar’s resignation, accusing the opposition of creating an issue out of nothing.
Though elected midterm, Dhankhar’s successor will serve a full five-year term in office.
A total of 754 votes were cast in the elections on Tuesday, of which 15 were found to be invalid. Radhakrishnan got 452 of the valid preferential votes, while his opponent Reddy secured 300.
Radhakrishnan, 68, was born in the southern state of Tamil Nadu in 1957. He is known to have joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) – the ideological fountainhead of the BJP – in his teens, gradually rising through the ranks of the BJP.
He served as party president in the state for several years and was elected as an MP twice from Coimbatore constituency in 1998 and 1999.
He is known for his affable nature and ability to cut across party lines – qualities that are likely to help him in his new role as India’s vice president.
He would have to resign as the governor of Maharashtra, before being sworn in.
The vice-president is the second highest constitutional office in the country, and also the chairperson of the upper house of parliament, known as the Rajya Sabha. The VP also acts as the acting President if the position becomes vacant during the term.