C. P. Radhakrishnan

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C. P. Radhakrishnan
File:Shri C P Radhakrishnan, Honourable Vice President of India.jpg


Official portrait, 2025

Office Vice President of India
Office Governor of Maharashtra
Office Governor of Jharkhand
Office Governor of Telangana
Office Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry
Term start 12 September 2025


Predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar


Predecessor Ramesh Bais
Successor Acharya Devvrat (additional charge)



Born 4 May 1957-{{{2}}}-{{{3}}} (age Expression error: Unrecognized word "may".)
Born Tiruppur, Madras State, India





Political party Bharatiya Janata Party
Spouse Template:Marriage
Children 2
Alma mater V. O. Chidambaram College (B.BA)
Occupation Template:Hlist


Chandrapuram Ponnusami Radhakrishnan (born 4 May 1957) is an Indian politician who is serving as the 15th Vice President of India since 12 September 2025. He previously served as the Governor of various states, and as a member of parliament in Lok Sabha.

Born in Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu in 1957, Radhakrishnan obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from V. O. Chidambaram College in Thoothukudi. He has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bharatiya Jana Sangh since his youth. In 1974, he became part of the Jan Sangh's state executive committee in Tamil Nadu, and later became part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), when it was founded in 1980. Representing the BJP, Radhakrishnan was elected to the Lok Sabha twice from Coimbatore in the 1998 and 1999 general elections. Since then, he had unsuccessfully contested three general elections from the same constituency in 2004, 2014, and 2019. He served as the state president of the Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP from 2003 to 2006. Radhakrishnan was appointed as the Governor of Jharkhand in February 2023 and served in the position till July 2024. He also held additional charges as the Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry in 2024. He served as the Governor of Maharashtra from July 2024 to September 2025. Following the resignation of the vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar in August 2025, Radhakrishnan was named as the candidate of the National Democratic Alliance for the 2025 Indian vice presidential election. In the elections held on 9 September 2025, he defeated B. Sudarshan Reddy and was sworn in as the vice president on 12 September 2025.

Early life

Radhakrishnan was born on 4 May 1957 to C. K. Ponnusamy and K. Janaki in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu.[1][2] He belongs to the Gounder community. He was reportedly named after the then-incumbent first Vice-President of India, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and co-incidentally he was elected for a second term just a week after his birth, leading to a belief of some shared destiny. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from V. O. Chidambaram College in Thoothukudi.[3][4] Since the age of 16, he has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.[5][6]

Political career

In 1974, Radhakrishnan was elected to the Jan Sangh's state executive committee. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after it was founded in 1980, and became an aide to Atal Bihari Vajpayee.[7]

Member of parliament (1998-2004)

In the 1998 elections, Radhakrishnan was elected to the Lok Sabha, representing Coimbatore. The election was held in the aftermath of the 1998 Coimbatore bombings.[8] He defeated the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate by a margin of 144,676 votes. He was one of three BJP candidates to win in Tamil Nadu as a part of the party's alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).[9] Representing the BJP, he won the 1999 elections from the same constitutency as a part of the DMK-led alliance.[10][11] He was part of a parliamentary delegation to the United Nations, and addressed the 58th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 20 October 2003.[12] He was a member of the parliamentary committee for public sector undertakings from 1998 to 2004 and a member of the parliamentary consultative committee for finance.[6]

Party chief and later years (2005-2022)

Ahead of the 2004 general elections, he was among the BJP's state leaders who worked on forming an alliance with the AIADMK in 2004 after the DMK exited from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).[5][13] His tenure in the Parliament of India ended following his defeat in the 2004 general election to K. Subbarayan of the Communist Party of India.[6][14] He was appointed as the state president of the Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP in 2004 and served in the position till 2006. As the president, he took a rath yatra for 93 days, advocating the linkage of Indian rivers, eradicating untouchability, and campaigning against terrorism in India. He covered all the parliamentary constituencies of Tamil Nadu during his journey, which faced criticism from the ruling DMK. He was also involved in the organising of the Kerala state unit of the BJP during the late 2000s.[15][16] In 2012, he faced court arrest in Mettupalayam for protesting inaction against culprits who had assaulted an RSS activist.[17]

Radhakrishnan was announced as the BJP candidate for Coimbatore in the 2014 general elections. He secured second place after polling 389,701 votes, the highest among the BJP candidates in Tamil Nadu. He contested as the party's candidate from the same constituency in the 2019 general election and lost to P. R. Natarajan of the CPIM.[5][18] He was the chairman of the Coir Board of India, which comes under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, from 2016 to 2020.[6][19] He also served as a member of the BJP's national executive.[6][20]

Governorship (2023–2025)

On 12 February 2023, president Droupadi Murmu appointed Radhakrishnan as the governor of Jharkhand, succeeding Ramesh Bais, and he took office on 18 February 2023.[21][22] Following the resignation of Tamilisai Soundararajan, he held additional responsibilities as the governor of Telangana and as lieutenant Governor of Puducherry from 19 March 2024.[23][24][25] On 27 July 2024, he was appointed as governor of Maharashtra.[26] Jishnu Dev Varma, Santosh Gangwar, and Kuniyil Kailashnathan , took over his positions in Telangana, Jharkhand, and Puducherry, respectively.[27][28][29][30] Radhakrishnan resigned as governor of Maharashtra following his election as the Vice President of India.

Vice President of India (2025–present)

File:The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu administered the Oath of Office of Vice President of India to Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan at a Swearing-in-Ceremony held at Ganatantra Mandap, in Rashtrapati Bhavan on September 12, 2025.jpg
CP Radhakrishnan with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after taking the oath of office as the 16th Vice President of India, 2025

On 17 August 2025, following the resignation of the 15th Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, BJP national president J. P. Nadda announced Radhakrishnan's candidacy in the 2025 vice presidential election.[31] He was endorsed by all NDA member parties, including the AIADMK, JD(U), NCP, TDP, SS, and non-member parties, such as the YSRCP.[32][33] He ran against Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) candidate B. Sudarshan Reddy.[34] The polling and results for elections were announced on 9 September 2025 and he emerged victorious defeating Reddy by 116 votes. He polled 452 electoral votes.[35] He took oath as the 15th Vice President on 12 September 2025.[36]

Personal life

Radhakrishnan married R. Sumathi on 25 November 1985, and they have two children.[1] He practised long-distance running, and played cricket, table tennis, and volleyball.[37][38]

Electoral history

Vice Presidential elections

Elections Alliance Result Vote percentage Opposition
Candidate Alliance Vote percentage
2025 NDA Template:Party color cell Template:Won 60.1% B. Sudarshan Reddy INDIA Template:Party color cell 39.9%

Lok Sabha elections

Elections Lok Sabha Constituency Political party Result Vote percentage Opposition
Candidate Political party Vote percentage
1998 12th Coimbatore BJP File:Lotus flower symbol.svg rowspan=5 Template:Party color cell rowspan=2 Template:Won 55.85% K. R. Subbian DMK File:Indian election symbol rising sun.svg Template:Party color cell 37.86%
1999 13th 49.21% R. Nallakannu CPI File:CPI symbol.svg rowspan=2 Template:Party color cell 43.02%
2004 14th rowspan=3 Template:Lost 38.74% K. Subbarayan 57.46%
2014 16th 33.12% P. Nagarajan AIADMK File:Indian election symbol two leaves.svg Template:Party color cell 36.69%
2019 17th 31.34% P. R. Natarajan CPI(M) File:CPI(M) election symbol - Hammer Sickle and Star.svg Template:Party color cell 45.66%

Positions held

Parliament of India

Rajya Sabha
Elections Position Term in office
Assumed office Left office Time in office
2025 Chairman 12 September 2025 Incumbent Template:Age in years and days
Lok Sabha
Elections Position Elected constituency Term in office
Assumed office Left office Time in office
1998 Member of Parliament Coimbatore 23 March 1998 26 April 1999 Template:Age in years and days
1999 20 October 1999 6 February 2004 Template:Age in years and days

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan sworn in as the 15th Vice President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha(12 September 2025). Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  2. ↑ Who is CP Radhakrishnan? Meet NDA candidate for Vice-Presidential election - here's all you need to know(17 August 2025). Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  3. ↑ NDA Vice President: CP Radhakrishnan's Journey from RSS to Raj Bhavan. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  4. ↑ 10 Facts About CP Radhakrishnan, BJP's Pick for Vice President. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 From Tamil Nadu BJP Leader To Governor Of Two States: Know Political Journey Of CP Radhakrishnan(19 March 2024). Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 C P Radhakrishnan takes oath as 11th Governor of Jharkhand. The Indian Express(19 February 2023). Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  7. ↑ Vajpayee invites BJP leaders to Delhi for talks. The Hindu(14 September 2003). Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  8. ↑ BJP will have to start from scratch. The Hindu(5 May 2006). Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  9. ↑ Verdict not a surprise, says Radhakrishnan. The Hindu(25 October 2007).
  10. ↑ It's the party that sells, not candidates!(September 1999). Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  11. ↑ It's for DMK to explain,says C.P. Radhakrishnan. The Hindu(13 May 2003). Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  12. ↑ Statement by Hon'ble Mr. C. P. Radhakrishnan, Member of Parliament and Member of the Indian Delegation at the 58th Session of the UN General Assembly on October 20, 2003. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  13. ↑ TN BJP invites AIADMK to return to NDA. Deccan Herald(3 January 2004). Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  14. ↑ Key Contests : CP Radhakrishnan vs K Subbarayan(1 May 2004). Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  15. ↑ Raj Bhavan. Retrieved 28 March 2004.
  16. ↑ Two-month awareness yatra by TN BJP chief. The Times of India(24 June 2003). Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  17. ↑ Normality returns to Mettupalayam. The Hindu(9 November 2012). Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  18. ↑ Familiar faces to fight it out in Coimbatore. The Hindu(22 March 2019). Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  19. ↑ Coirboard. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  20. ↑ Senior BJP leader CP Radhakrishnan appointed Jharkhand Guv. Northeast Herald. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  21. ↑ C.P. Radhakrishnan takes oath as Jharkhand Governor. The Hindu(18 February 2023). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  22. ↑ Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan - Hon'ble Governor of Jharkhand. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  23. ↑ C.P. Radhakrishnan assumes charge of Lt. Governor of Puducherry. All India Radio(22 March 2024). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  24. ↑ Jharkhand Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan given additional responsibilities of Telangana, Puducherry. The Hindu(19 March 2024). Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  25. ↑ Jharkhand Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan takes charge as Telangana governor. All India Radio(20 March 2024). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  26. ↑ CP Radhakrishnan takes oath as Maharashtra governor. The Times of India(31 July 2024). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  27. ↑ Santosh Kumar Gangwar sworn in as Jharkhand Governor. Deccan Herald(31 July 2024). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  28. ↑ Jishnu Dev Varma is new Governor of Telangana; Radhakrishnan moves to Maharashtra. Telangana Today(28 July 2024). Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  29. ↑ Press Communique 19. Office of the President of India(27 July 2024). Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  30. ↑ Press Communique 20(27 July 2024). Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  31. ↑ NDA names Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan as vice-presidential candidate(2025-08-18). Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  32. ↑ Vice presidential poll: Nitish Kumar's JD(U) backs NDA's candidate; extends wishes to CP Radhakrishnan. The Times of India(2025-08-18). Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  33. ↑ "Rise Above Party Lines": BJP, AIADMK To Opposition Over Vice President Pick. NDTV(18 August 2025).
  34. ↑ VP Election 2025: I.N.D.I.A. Nominates Ex-SC Judge B Sudarshan Reddy. Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-08-19.
  35. ↑ C.P. Radhakrishnan is the 17th Vice-President of India. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  36. ↑ C P Radhakrishnan likely to take oath as Vice President on September 12. The Economic Times(2025-09-10). Retrieved 2025-09-10.
  37. ↑ Who is CP Radhakrishnan? NDA's candidate for Vice President elections. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  38. ↑ Two-time MP, Governor, table tennis champion: 5 points on CP Radhakrishnan, NDA's VP pick(17 August 2025). Retrieved 18 August 2025.

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