C. P. Radhakrishnan

Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, widely known as C. P. Radhakrishnan, was born on 20 October 1957 in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu. After completing his BBA degree from VOC College, Tuticorin, he began his political journey with the Jan Sangh in 1974. Over the years, he rose steadily within the BJP, serving as the party’s Tamil Nadu state secretary in 1996 and later as the state president between 2004 and 2007. His leadership was marked by a historic 93-day Rath Yatra that advocated for river linking, social equality, and anti-terrorism initiatives.

Radhakrishnan was elected as the Member of Parliament from Coimbatore in 1998 and again in 1999, defeating key rivals with notable margins. During his two terms in the Lok Sabha, he served on important committees including Commerce, Public Sector Undertakings, and Finance, and was also part of India’s delegation to the UN General Assembly, showcasing his global outlook and parliamentary acumen.

On the administrative front, he held several significant roles. He chaired the Coir Board from 2016 to 2020, contributing to the industry’s growth, and was later entrusted with overseeing the BJP’s Kerala affairs from 2020 to 2022. His gubernatorial responsibilities began in February 2023 as the Governor of Jharkhand, before being appointed as the Governor of Maharashtra in July 2024. He also held additional charges as the Governor of Telangana and the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, reflecting the trust placed in his governance abilities.

Capping his long political and administrative journey, C. P. Radhakrishnan was elected as the 15th Vice President of India on September 9, 2025. Backed by the NDA, he secured a decisive 452 first-preference votes, defeating the INDIA bloc’s candidate Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy. With this, Radhakrishnan not only assumes the role of Vice President but also becomes the ex officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, marking a new chapter in his illustrious public career.