As NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan won the vice presidential election on Tuesday by bagging 452 votes, while opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy polled 300 votes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Radhakrishnan.
PM Modi expressed confidence that Radhakrishnan will be an "outstanding V-P." He said that Radhakrishnan's life has always been devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalised, adding that he will "strengthen our Constitutional values and enhance Parliamentary discourse".
"Congratulations to Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji on winning the 2025 Vice Presidential election. His life has always been devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalised," PM Modi wrote on X, shortly after the results were announced by Returning Officer PC Mody.
"I am confident that he will be an outstanding VP, who will strengthen our Constitutional values and enhance Parliamentary discourse," PM Modi said.
Home Minister Amit Shah also congratulated the new Vice President and said that his "sagacity as a leader who has risen from the grassroots of the society and profound knowledge about administration will help us in bringing out the best in our parliamentary democracy to serve the marginalised."
“Congratulations to Shri CP Radhakrishnan Ji on being elected as the Vice President of India. I firmly believe that your sagacity as a leader who has risen from the grassroots of the society and profound knowledge about administration will help us in bringing out the best in our parliamentary democracy to serve the marginalised, Shah wrote on X.
"I extend my warmest wishes to you for your journey as the custodian of the sanctity of the Upper House,” he wrote after the declaration of result.
The vote tally suggested some cross-voting in favour of Radhakrishnan. BJP leaders claimed that at least 15 opposition members voted for the NDA nominee. Earlier, the Congress had claimed that the opposition stood united with all of its 315 MPs turning up to vote in the vice presidential polls.
A total of 767 MPs cast their ballot in a turnout of 98.2 per cent, of which 752 were valid and 15 votes were deemed invalid, Mody said. One postal ballot was cancelled as the MP declined to cast the vote.
Mody said Radhakrishnan secured 452 first preference votes as against 300 for Reddy.
"I declare CP Radhakrishnan elected to the post of Vice President of India and the results will be communicated to the Election Commission," Mody said.
Radhakrishnan would be India's 15th vice president when he is sworn in to the post.
The poll was necessitated by the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21.
The electoral college for the vice presidential election comprises a total of 788 members - 245 from the Rajya Sabha and 543 from the Lok Sabha. The 12 nominated members of the Rajya Sabha are also eligible to vote in the election.
The present strength of the electoral college is 781 as six seats are vacant in the Rajya Sabha and one in the Lok Sabha.
With inputs from PTI
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.