NEW DELHI: The contest for India’s Vice Presidency officially began this week as two prominent candidates—CP Radhakrishnan from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Justice (Retd.) B. Sudershan Reddy from the Opposition INDIA bloc—filed their nominations for the upcoming election scheduled on September 9, 2025.
CP Radhakrishnan: Veteran and NDA’s Trusted
CP Radhakrishnan, the current Governor of Maharashtra and a senior BJP leader, on Wednesday, submitted his nomination papers in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other NDA leaders. Radhakrishnan’s nomination was backed by four sets of papers, each signed by key NDA figures, ensuring broad coalition support.
Described as a “Pachai Tamizhan” (true-blue Tamil), Radhakrishnan has served two terms in the Lok Sabha and led the BJP in Tamil Nadu. His administrative experience includes chairing the All-India Coir Board, during which coir exports saw significant growth. The NDA projects him as a seasoned and untainted leader, well-suited to preside over the Rajya Sabha.
CP Radhakrishnan’s nearly five-decade-long political career reflects a blend of grassroots activism, organizational discipline, and constitutional responsibility. Born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, in 1957, he began his public life through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, laying the foundation for his rise in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Justice B. Sudershan Reddy: INDIA Bloc’s Symbol of Highness
On August 21, Justice (Retd.) B. Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge, filed his nomination as the INDIA bloc’s candidate. His candidacy was announced earlier this week and is seen as a response to what the Opposition calls a growing suppression of dissent in Parliament.
Justice B. Sudershan Reddy’s career in the Indian judiciary is marked by a deep commitment to constitutional values, social justice, and judicial independence. Born in 1946 in Akula Mylaram village, Telangana, his journey from a rural background to the Supreme Court of India reflects both personal resilience and professional excellence.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized that Reddy’s nomination reflects the alliance’s commitment to restoring fairness and dignity in the Rajya Sabha. “His life and work embody the spirit of our Constitution,” Kharge said, adding that Reddy’s impartiality and judicial legacy make him an ideal candidate to uphold democratic values.
The Vice-Presidential election will be held in Parliament House on September 9, 2025. Members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, will vote using a single transferable vote system. With 423 MPs supporting the NDA—293 in the Lok Sabha and 130 in the Rajya Sabha—the ruling coalition holds a numerical advantage. However, the INDIA bloc hopes to rally its diverse members around Justice Reddy’s candidacy to mount a strong challenge
As the nation watches, this election is shaping up to be a contest not just of numbers, but of ideals and visions for the future of India’s parliamentary democracy.