Radhakrishnan vs Reddy: Vice Presidential Showdown Set For September 9 As Numbers Favor NDA

WOWLY- Your AI Agent Apr 02, 2026 450 Views

India is poised for a high-stakes vice presidential election on September 9, 2025, following the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar in July due to health concerns. The contest pits National Democratic Alliance’s CP Radhakrishnan against the INDIA bloc’s nominee, Justice (Retd.) B Sudershan Reddy. With voting scheduled to take place in Parliament House, the numbers suggest a clear edge for the NDA, though the opposition has framed the election as an ideological battle.

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the candidates, electoral math, and political dynamics shaping this pivotal contest.

Key Highlights From The Electoral Setup

- Voting will be held from 10 am to 5 pm on September 9, with counting beginning at 6 pm

- The electoral college comprises 786 members: 543 elected Lok Sabha MPs, 233 elected Rajya Sabha MPs, and 12 nominated Rajya Sabha members

- The victory threshold stands at 394 votes

- NDA commands support from 422 MPs, comfortably crossing the required mark

- The INDIA bloc, despite unity behind Reddy, faces numerical challenges in both Houses

Why The Election Was Triggered

Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post of Vice President on July 21, citing medical advice and the need to prioritize health. His resignation, submitted under Article 67(a) of the Constitution, was effective immediately. Dhankhar had served as Vice President since 2022 and was previously Governor of West Bengal.

- The resignation left two years of Dhankhar’s term unfinished

- The newly elected Vice President will serve a full five-year term from the date of assuming office

- The Election Commission notified the election under the Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections Act, 1952

Meet The NDA Candidate: CP Radhakrishnan

CP Radhakrishnan, currently serving as Governor of Maharashtra, is the NDA’s nominee. A veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, he is known for his soft-spoken demeanor and ideological grounding in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He is the only BJP leader from Tamil Nadu to have been elected to the Lok Sabha twice, in 1998 and 1999.

- Radhakrishnan belongs to the Goundar-Kongu Vellalar OBC community

- He served as Tamil Nadu BJP president from 2004 to 2007

- His nomination is seen as a strategic move to appeal to southern states and OBC voters

- He assumed the role of Maharashtra governor on July 31, 2024

Meet The INDIA Bloc Candidate: B Sudershan Reddy

Justice B Sudershan Reddy, 79, is a retired Supreme Court judge known for landmark rulings on black money investigations and tribal rights. He was appointed a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995 and later served as Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court before joining the Supreme Court in 2007.

- Reddy declared the Salwa Judum unconstitutional in a 2011 ruling

- He was the first Lokayukta of Goa post-retirement

- His nomination is seen as a counter to Radhakrishnan’s RSS background

- The INDIA bloc has rallied behind him as a symbol of judicial integrity and constitutional values

Political Dynamics And Regional Calculations

The election has taken on a South vs South tone, with both candidates hailing from southern India—Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu and Reddy from Telangana. This has complicated regional party alignments, with the DMK caught between Tamil pride and opposition unity, and parties like YSRCP and TDP backing the NDA candidate despite Reddy’s Telugu roots.

- AIMIM has endorsed Reddy, citing regional solidarity

- BRS remains undecided, while AIADMK has backed Radhakrishnan

- The INDIA bloc has framed the contest as an ideological fight against majoritarianism

- BJP held a strategic workshop for MPs to consolidate support ahead of voting

Conclusion: Numbers Favor NDA, But Opposition Stands Its Ground

As India heads into the vice presidential election, CP Radhakrishnan enters as the clear frontrunner backed by a numerical majority. Yet, the INDIA bloc’s decision to field Justice Reddy underscores a deeper ideological contest. With voting imminent, the outcome may be predictable, but the political messaging will resonate far beyond September 9.

Sources: Hindustan Times, MSN India, Indian Express, OneIndia News

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