India has a new Vice President. Maharashtra Governor and NDA nominee C P Radhakrishnan was elected the 15th Vice President of India on Tuesday, securing 452 votes against Opposition nominee and former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy’s 300. The wider-than-expected margin of 152 votes points to significant cross-voting in his favour.
The Result
Rajya Sabha Secretary General and Returning Officer P C Mody announced the outcome of the vice presidential election. Of 781 eligible MPs, 767 voted, marking a 98.2 percent turnout. With 15 ballots declared invalid, 752 were counted as valid, bringing the majority mark to 377. Radhakrishnan cleared it comfortably with 452 votes.
Why it Matters
The Vice President is the second-highest constitutional office in India and also serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. Radhakrishnan’s strong win strengthens the NDA’s hold on both the symbolic and functional levers of Parliament.
The Bigger Picture
The result underscores the ruling coalition’s political sway and ability to draw support beyond party lines. For the Opposition, the numbers highlight a continued challenge in forging unity at the national stage.
