CP Radhakrishnan sworn in as India's 15th Vice President

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to the 67-year-old veteran politician at approximately 10:10 AM in a ceremony attended by several high-ranking officials. The swearing-in was witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and several Chief Ministers including those from Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.

Victory in unprecedented election

Radhakrishnan secured his position after winning the Vice Presidential election held on September 9 with a decisive margin of 152 votes. The NDA candidate garnered 452 first preference votes against his opponent, former Supreme Court Judge B. Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes. The election witnessed an impressive turnout of 98.2%, with 767 out of 781 eligible MPs casting their ballots.

The voting revealed interesting dynamics, as Radhakrishnan received 14 more votes than the NDA's expected tally, sparking speculation about cross-voting within opposition ranks. While the NDA had backing from 427 MPs on paper, additional support from 11 YSR Congress Party lawmakers contributed to the victory margin.

In a notable moment, former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar attended the ceremony - his first public appearance since resigning on July 21 due to health reasons. Dhankhar's unexpected resignation, citing the need to "prioritise health care and abide by medical advice," had necessitated this midterm election. His departure came after more than two years in office, with his original term scheduled to end in August 2027.

Transition from Governor role

Prior to taking oath as Vice President, Radhakrishnan formally resigned from his position as Governor of Maharashtra on Thursday. President Murmu has assigned Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat the additional charge of Maharashtra gubernatorial duties until further orders. Radhakrishnan expressed gratitude for his "unique experience" of working with two Chief Ministers during his brief tenure in Maharashtra.

Political background and future plans

Born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, on May 4, 1957, Radhakrishnan has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since age 16. He was twice elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore constituency in 1998 and 1999, and has served as Governor of multiple states including Jharkhand, Telangana, and Maharashtra.

Following his swearing-in, Vice President Radhakrishnan is scheduled to meet with all Rajya Sabha leaders at 12:30 PM, as he assumes his role as Chairman of the upper house of Parliament. Prime Minister Modi congratulated the new Vice President, expressing confidence that he would "strengthen constitutional values and enhance Parliamentary discourse".

The election process, supervised by Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody as returning officer, recorded 752 valid votes with 15 declared invalid. This constitutional transition ensures continuity in India's second-highest office, with Radhakrishnan set to serve a full five-year term despite the midterm nature of his election.