In Indian politics, few names balance grassroots activism, party loyalty, and administrative experience as effectively as C. P. Radhakrishnan. From his early days as a student activist in Tamil Nadu to his nomination as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for Vice President of India in 2025, his career reflects a steady rise built on discipline, leadership, and long-term service to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Nera News takes a closer look at his life, career, and the significance of his nomination.
CP Radhakrishnan: India’s Next Vice President
Who is CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA’s choice for India’s next vice President? This is the question asked by many readers since his name popped up in internet. So Nera News brings exclusive article explaining CP Radhakrishnan, and how he become NDA’s choice of Vice President candidate.
CP Radhakrishnan’s Early Life and Political Roots
Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan was born on 20 October 1957 in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu. He pursued Business Administration at V. O. Chidambaram College in Thoothukudi. In 1974, as a teenager, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and later became active in the Jan Sangh, which would merge into the BJP. His early exposure to grassroots work laid the foundation for a long political career.
CP Radhakrishnan as Member of Parliament and BJP Leader
Radhakrishnan entered Parliament by winning the Coimbatore seat in 1998, and he retained it in 1999. His work in Tamil Nadu gained him recognition, and he went on to serve as BJP state president from 2003 to 2006. During this period, he launched a 93-day yatra across Tamil Nadu, focusing on river-linking projects, social reforms, and national security issues.
CP Radhakrishnan’s Key Administrative Roles
Beyond Parliament, he held significant positions in government and party organization.
- Chairman of the Coir Board from 2016 to 2020, where India’s coir exports achieved record revenue.
- BJP In-charge for Kerala from 2020 to 2022, tasked with strengthening the party in a challenging political landscape.
- Governor of Jharkhand from 2023 to 2024, where he handled sensitive political transitions.
- Governor of Maharashtra from July 2024, one of the most influential posts in state politics.
- Briefly held additional charge of Telangana and Puducherry during 2024.
These roles highlighted his administrative skills and ability to work across regions.
CP Radhakrishnan as NDA’s Vice Presidential Candidate
In August 2025, after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned due to health reasons, the NDA announced Radhakrishnan as its official candidate. His nomination papers were filed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as proposer, underlining the central leadership’s confidence in him.
Radhakrishnan’s candidacy has strategic weight. As a veteran leader from Tamil Nadu, he represents the BJP’s push for greater presence in South India. His long service within the BJP and RSS shows party loyalty, while his governorship roles demonstrate administrative credibility.
CP Radhakrishnan’s Role as Vice President
The Vice President of India serves as the constitutional deputy to the President and as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. This position requires political neutrality, firmness, and a deep understanding of parliamentary procedure. With his decades of political and administrative experience, Radhakrishnan is seen as well-prepared to take on the responsibilities of presiding over the Rajya Sabha.
Political Reactions to CP Radhakrishnan’s Nomination
The BJP described his nomination as recognition of his decades of service. Southern allies like AIADMK and YSRCP welcomed the choice, while JD(U), TDP, Shiv Sena, and NCP extended their support. Opposition parties have fielded their own candidate, but analysts note that the NDA’s numerical strength in Parliament makes Radhakrishnan the frontrunner.
Political observers also view this nomination as part of the BJP’s wider strategy to consolidate its standing in Tamil Nadu and other southern states, where the party is still building its electoral base.
CP Radhakrishnan’s Journey from Tamil Nadu to National Politics
If elected, Radhakrishnan would be only the second Vice President from Tamil Nadu, after R. Venkataraman, who later became President of India. His journey from local activism in Tiruppur to the national stage reflects the BJP’s approach of rewarding grassroots loyalty with top constitutional roles. For Tamil Nadu, his rise is seen as a moment of pride and a sign of greater national representation.
CP Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu
CP Radhakrishnan’s political roots lie in Tamil Nadu, where he was born in Tiruppur and began as an RSS worker. Rising through the BJP ranks, he twice represented Coimbatore in Parliament and later led the party in the state.
