The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Sunday officially declared that Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan will be its candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. The election has been scheduled for September 9, and with the NDA’s strength in Parliament, the announcement is seen as a decisive move.

Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, better known as CP Radhakrishnan, is a veteran political figure from Tamil Nadu whose journey reflects decades of service to his party and ideology. His long political career has been shaped by his deep association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and his steady rise through the ranks of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Over the years, he has held important responsibilities, both within the party and in Parliament, making him one of the most seasoned leaders to come from southern India【web†source】.

Born in October 1957 in Tiruppur, which was then part of Madras State (now Tamil Nadu), Radhakrishnan entered public life very early. At the age of 16, he became actively involved with the RSS and soon after joined the Jan Sangh. His political dedication was evident even in his youth, and by 1974, he was already a member of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh’s state executive. This marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to the Sangh Parivar and eventually the BJP.

Radhakrishnan’s most notable breakthrough in national politics came in 1998, when he won the Lok Sabha election from Coimbatore by a margin of over 1,50,000 votes. The victory was especially significant, as it came just after the tragic Coimbatore bombings, which had shaken the city. His ability to win the trust of voters during such a tense period highlighted his credibility and leadership skills. He repeated his success in 1999, this time defeating a DMK candidate, further strengthening his position as a strong BJP face in Tamil Nadu.

In Parliament, Radhakrishnan took on key responsibilities. He served as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Textiles and was also a member of several crucial committees, including those on Public Sector Undertakings, Finance, and the Stock Exchange Scam inquiry. His role was not limited to domestic issues; in 2003, he represented India at the United Nations General Assembly, where he spoke on humanitarian coordination and disaster relief. The following year, in 2004, he was part of India’s first-ever parliamentary delegation to Taiwan, broadening his exposure to international diplomacy.

Back home in Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan’s organizational skills were put to test when he became the President of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit in 2004, a role he held until 2007. During this period, he led a remarkable 93-day, 19,000 km Ratha Yatra, which aimed at spreading awareness about interlinking rivers, fighting untouchability, countering terrorism, and advocating for a Uniform Civil Code. His ability to mobilize people on the ground and raise issues of national importance established him as a leader who could connect with both the party cadre and ordinary citizens.

He later carried out two more padyatras, further reinforcing his grassroots presence. These movements gave him the image of a leader who combined ideology with action. His efforts were particularly important in a state like Tamil Nadu, where the BJP has historically faced challenges in building a strong base.

Radhakrishnan contested the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, though without success. Nevertheless, he remained an active figure in the party. Between 2020 and 2022, he served as the BJP’s in-charge for Kerala, continuing his work in southern India. Earlier, in 2016, he was appointed as Chairman of the Coir Board, where he oversaw record-breaking exports worth ₹2,532 crore, an achievement that showcased his administrative abilities.

In 2023, Radhakrishnan was appointed as the Governor of Jharkhand, where he earned praise for visiting all 24 districts of the state within just four months, directly engaging with people at the grassroots level. His hands-on approach won appreciation, and soon after, he was given additional responsibilities as the Governor of Telangana and the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. Most recently, in July 2024, he took oath as the Governor of Maharashtra, adding another constitutional role to his career.

As the Vice-Presidential election approaches, Radhakrishnan is widely seen as the clear frontrunner. The Vice President is chosen by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament — the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Unlike the Presidential election, state assemblies do not play a role in this process. Given the NDA’s strong majority in the Lok Sabha and its significant presence in the Rajya Sabha, the numbers clearly favor Radhakrishnan.

The only possible challenge lies in whether the opposition can unite behind a single candidate. But in recent years, opposition parties have found it difficult to maintain unity, especially in contests for high constitutional posts. Even if the opposition fields a candidate, the numerical strength in Parliament gives the NDA a clear advantage.

By selecting CP Radhakrishnan, a leader from Tamil Nadu, the BJP has also sent a political message — it wants to expand its influence in southern India, where the party is still working to build a stronger presence. This nomination is not only about winning the Vice-Presidential post but also about long-term political strategy in the southern states.