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From RSS Worker to Vice President of India – The Journey of C.P. Radhakrishnan

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
  • Sep 12, 2025
  • 812

C.P. Radhakrishnan was sworn in as the 15th Vice President of India in a solemn yet historic ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Union Cabinet, chief ministers from several states, and former Vice Presidents Hamid Ansari and M. Venkaiah Naidu.

In the election held on September 9, NDA candidate Radhakrishnan secured 452 votes, defeating opposition nominee B. Sudarshan Reddy by a margin of 152 votes. With voter turnout crossing 98 percent, Radhakrishnan received 14 more votes than expected, triggering speculation of cross-voting within the opposition camp.

Born into a modest family in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan began his political journey at the age of 16 by joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In 1974, he entered active politics as a state executive member of the Jan Sangh. He went on to win back-to-back Lok Sabha elections in 1998 and 1999 from Coimbatore, the first time by an impressive margin of over 1.5 lakh votes.

Although once considered close to becoming a Union Minister, a case of mistaken identity led the portfolio to go to another leader, Pon Radhakrishnan. Unfazed, C.P. Radhakrishnan devoted himself to strengthening the organization. As Tamil Nadu BJP President in 2004, he undertook a 19,000-kilometre Rath Yatra, advocating for river interlinking, a uniform civil code, an end to terrorism, and a fight against drug abuse.

His influence extended beyond domestic politics—he represented India at the United Nations General Assembly and was part of the country’s first parliamentary delegation to Taiwan. As Chairman of the Coir Board in 2016, he oversaw record exports worth ₹2,532 crore. More recently, between 2020 and 2022, he successfully managed the BJP’s affairs in Kerala.

Now, as Vice President, Radhakrishnan’s term will run until September 11, 2030. Immediately after being sworn in, he held consultations with leaders of the Rajya Sabha. His leadership and ability to build consensus will now be tested in the Upper House, where balancing government priorities with opposition voices will be his biggest challenge.