Nationalistic ideology emerged victorious: CP Radhakrishnan takes a dig at opposition after decisive victory in V-P polls

CP Radhakrishnan

Following his victory in the Vice-Presidential election, CP Radhakrishnan, was quick to assert that the election had been a battle of ideologies and the voting pattern reflected that "nationalistic ideology is overall victorious". The statement, in more ways than one, sought to reply to Opposition constant narrative that the V-P election was a "battle of ideologies".

On Tuesday, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA candidate for the post of the Vice President, succeeded Jagdeep Dhankhar in the post. The 68-year-old sailed through the election, scooping up 452 first preference votes, leaving Opposition candidate and retired Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy trailing with 300 first preference votes.

While 754 votes were cast, 15 were found to be invalid. Of the valid votes, Mr Radhakrishnan got 452 first preference votes, Justice Reddy got 300, said Returning Officer for the election PV Mody.

The 150-vote margin, however, is one of the lowest in the Vice-Presidential polls. In 2022, Jagdeep Dhankhar had beaten Opposition candidate Margaret Alva with the highest margin in the six last Vice Presidential elections. He secured 528 votes to her tally of 182.

The victory also marks a significant milestone in Radhakrishnan’s long political career, which is deeply rooted in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP.

A two-time Member of Parliament from Coimbatore and a former state president of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, he has consistently championed a nationalist agenda. Before his election, he served as the governor of Maharashtra and Jharkhand.