BJP Names Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan as NDA’s Vice Presidential Candidate

August 17, 2025

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan as the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election, scheduled for September 9, 2025.

The decision was finalized during the BJP’s Parliamentary Board meeting at the party headquarters, attended by key leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President J.P. Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

In his long years in public life, Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji has distinguished himself with his dedication, humility and intellect. During the various positions he has held, he has always focused on community service and empowering the marginalised. He has done extensive work at… pic.twitter.com/WrbKl4LB9S

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 17, 2025

About CP Radhakrishan

C.P. Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, has been serving as the 24th Governor of Maharashtra since July 31, 2024.

A long-time RSS associate, Radhakrishnan has a robust political career, having been elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999 and serving as the Tamil Nadu BJP President from 2004 to 2007.

He previously held gubernatorial roles in Jharkhand (2023–2024), Telangana, and Puducherry (additional charges in 2024). His selection underscores the BJP’s strategy to elevate a leader with strong ideological roots and extensive administrative experience.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Resignation on July 21

The announcement follows the unexpected resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons, though speculations of political differences have surfaced.

The NDA, with a majority in the electoral college of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, is poised for a strong position in the election.

All NDA chief ministers and deputy chief ministers have been summoned to Delhi on August 21 for the nomination filing, with Prime Minister Modi expected to lead as the proposer.

The opposition INDIA bloc is set to discuss its candidate on August 18, potentially leading to a contested election. However, the NDA’s numerical strength suggests a likely victory for Radhakrishnan.

His candidacy has also sparked interest due to his recent meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, which fueled speculation about political negotiations, though officially described as a health inquiry.

Radhakrishnan’s nomination reflects the BJP’s focus on promoting leaders from South India, aligning with its broader outreach strategy.