Maharashtra Governor and ruling National Democratic Alliance candidate C. P. Radhakrishnan was elected to become the 15th Vice President of India. He defeated opposition I.N.D.I.A. candidate Sudarshan Reddy with a margin of 152 votes, which is the second smallest winning margin in the last 23 years.
C P Radhakrishnan got 452 of 767 votes while Sudarshan Reddy got 300 votes. Fifteen votes were declared invalid while at least 14 MPs were absent.
The opposition alliance was expecting 324 votes, yet they couldn’t muster that number and were restricted to 300. This has triggered speculation that there might be cross-voting in favour of the NDA, or that the number was reduced mainly due to invalid voting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi later met C P Radhakrishnan and congratulated him. “His life has always been devoted to servicing society and empowering the poor and marginalised. I am confident that he will be an outstanding VP, who will strengthen our constitutional values and enhance parliamentary discourse.” Modi posted on X.
The vice president election was deemed necessary as the previous vice president, Jagdeep Dhankhad, suddenly submitted his resignation on the pretext of deteriorating health. His sudden resignation sparked debate that it was due to his falling out with the top brass of the ruling NDA.
