New Delhi, August 20, 2025 – In a powerful display of coalition unity, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, filed his nomination papers in New Delhi on Wednesday, accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of senior NDA leaders. The event marks a significant step toward the September 9, 2025, vice-presidential election, with the NDA projecting Radhakrishnan as a seasoned leader poised to take on the prestigious constitutional role.

Radhakrishnan, currently the Governor of Maharashtra, was announced as the NDA’s candidate on August 17, following a unanimous decision by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Parliamentary Board, chaired by Prime Minister Modi. The nomination process saw Modi as the lead proposer in the first of four sets of nomination papers, each supported by at least 20 proposers and 20 seconders, as required by electoral regulations. Senior NDA leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President J.P. Nadda, and Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, were present, alongside allies such as TDP’s K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde, and Lok Jan Shakti Party’s Chirag Paswan, showcasing the coalition’s broad consensus.

Prime Minister Modi, who personally handed over the nomination papers to Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody, the returning officer for the election, expressed confidence in Radhakrishnan’s ability to serve as an “outstanding Vice President.” In a post on X, Modi stated, “Along with ministers, party colleagues, and NDA leaders, I accompanied Thiru CP Radhakrishnan as he filed his nomination for the post of Vice President of India. The NDA family is confident that he will be an outstanding VP and will enrich our journey towards national progress.”

Radhakrishnan, a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has a long history of public service. A former two-time Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore (1998 and 1999), Radhakrishnan served as Tamil Nadu BJP State President from 2004 to 2007 and chaired the Coir Board from 2016 to 2020, during which coir exports reached a record high of ₹2,532 crore. His gubernatorial roles include serving as Governor of Jharkhand (2023–2024), Telangana (March–July 2024), and Puducherry (March–August 2024), in addition to his current role as Maharashtra Governor since July 31, 2024.

The NDA’s nomination of Radhakrishnan comes after the unexpected resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, 2025, citing health concerns, just two years into his term. The vacancy prompted the Election Commission of India to schedule the vice-presidential election for September 9, with August 21 as the last date for filing nominations and August 25 for withdrawals. The electoral college, comprising 781 members of both Houses of Parliament, gives the NDA a comfortable majority with the support of at least 422 MPs, bolstered by non-INDIA bloc parties like the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which has pledged its 11 MPs to Radhakrishnan’s candidacy.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju have been actively canvassing support, reaching out to opposition parties, including the INDIA bloc, to secure a unanimous election. However, the opposition has fielded former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy as its candidate, setting the stage for a contest. Despite this, the NDA’s numerical strength makes Radhakrishnan’s victory almost certain.

Modi has consistently praised Radhakrishnan’s “dedication, humility, and intellect,” highlighting his grassroots work in Tamil Nadu and his focus on empowering marginalized communities. At an NDA Parliamentary Party meeting on August 19, Modi appealed to all parties, including the opposition, to back Radhakrishnan for a consensus election, emphasizing his untainted record and legislative acumen. “His long years of public service and experience across domains will greatly enrich our nation,” Modi posted on X.

Radhakrishnan’s nomination also carries strategic significance for the NDA, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where the BJP aims to strengthen its presence. His extensive grassroots work, including a 93-day, 19,000-km rath yatra in 2004–2007 advocating for river-linking and social reforms, has earned him respect across political lines. The NDA is also projecting him as an ideal candidate for the Vice President’s role as Rajya Sabha Chairman, given his parliamentary experience and administrative track record.

The opposition INDIA bloc, led by parties like the Congress and DMK, held discussions on August 18 to finalize its strategy. Speculation around a potential DMK candidate, such as Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi N. Siva, did not materialize, with the bloc opting for Reddy instead. The Congress has criticized Radhakrishnan’s nomination, labeling him “another RSS man,” reflecting the ideological divide.

As the September 9 election approaches, the NDA’s show of unity and Radhakrishnan’s robust political and administrative credentials position him as a formidable candidate. The coalition’s efforts to secure cross-party support, combined with its parliamentary majority, signal a strong likelihood of Radhakrishnan assuming the vice-presidency, continuing the NDA’s dominance in India’s constitutional offices.