New Delhi: Senior BJP leader and former Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan was sworn in today as the 15th Vice President of India in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outgoing Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and several dignitaries in attendance.

Radhakrishnan, 67, succeeds Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned earlier this month due to health reasons. The election for Vice President was held on September 9, where Radhakrishnan secured 452 votes, defeating opposition-backed candidate B. Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes. The high turnout of nearly 98 percent among members of Parliament and reports of cross-voting strengthened Radhakrishnan’s victory by a margin of 152 votes.

A veteran politician from Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan has served as a two-time Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore, state BJP president, and held gubernatorial responsibilities in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Following his election, he stepped down as Maharashtra Governor, with Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat given additional charge of the state until a new appointment is made.

In his remarks after the oath-taking, Radhakrishnan emphasized the importance of harmony between the Centre and the states, calling cooperative federalism vital for the strength of India’s democracy. As Vice President, he will now serve as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, a role central to steering debates and ensuring smooth legislative proceedings.

The ruling NDA had been confident of his win, but the outcome also carried symbolic weight, highlighting divisions within the opposition ranks. Political observers note that Radhakrishnan’s image as a consensus-builder and his roots in Tamil Nadu politics could influence parliamentary dynamics in the years ahead.