Who is CP Radhakrishnan? NDA’s Vice Presidential pick reflects the BJP’s Tamil Nadu strategy. Know his political journey, RSS roots, and the Kongu Gounder factor shaping the 2026 elections.
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NEW DELHI: Maharashtra Governor and senior BJP leader Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan has been named as the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election. The announcement came from BJP national president JP Nadda on Sunday, following the unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who stepped down citing health reasons midway through his term.
The Vice Presidential election is scheduled for September 9, 2025, with the last date for filing nominations on August 21.
Who is CP Radhakrishnan?
Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, CP Radhakrishnan’s political journey began as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) swayamsevak. By 1974, he had already risen to become a State Executive Committee member of the Bharatiya Janasangh.
Radhakrishnan represented Coimbatore in the Lok Sabha twice (1998 and 1999) and held several key parliamentary roles, including:
- Chairman of the Standing Committee on Textiles
- Member of committees on PSUs and Finance
- Delegate to the UN General Assembly (2004)
- Part of the first Indian delegation to Taiwan
As Tamil Nadu BJP President (2004–2007), he made waves with his ambitious 19,000 km, 93-day Ratha Yatra, aimed at grassroots mobilisation.
Later, as Chairman of the Coir Board (2016–2020), he oversaw record exports worth ₹2,532 crore. His administrative journey also included roles as:
- BJP’s All India In-charge for Kerala (2020–2022)
- Governor of Jharkhand (2023), where he toured all 24 districts in just four months
- Governor of Maharashtra (2024), while also holding additional responsibilities as Governor of Telangana and Lt. Governor of Puducherry
With more than four decades in politics and governance, Radhakrishnan embodies a blend of RSS grounding, parliamentary experience, and administrative acumen.
Beyond his long career, Radhakrishnan’s nomination has deep strategic undertones. He belongs to the OBC Gounder (Kongu Vellalar) community, which holds a decisive political influence in western Tamil Nadu’s Kongu region.
This identity resonates strongly with:
- K Annamalai, BJP’s prominent leader from Tamil Nadu
- Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), AIADMK chief
By choosing Radhakrishnan, the NDA is signaling its intent to consolidate the Gounder vote base, a community that plays a pivotal role in shaping electoral outcomes in the state.
Radhakrishnan’s elevation serves multiple political purposes:
- Strengthening NDA-AIADMK ties by recognising the political clout of the Kongu Gounder community.
- Reconnecting with disillusioned cadres in Tamil Nadu after the BJP’s leadership reshuffle earlier this year, which risked alienating the community.
- Symbolic reassurance ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, sending a message that the BJP values local representation at the highest national level.
This move is also seen as a damage-control exercise, especially after the BJP decides to replace Annamalai as state president—reportedly under AIADMK’s pressure—had created unease among Gounder voters.
Another strength of Radhakrishnan’s candidacy is his ideological anchoring. Associated with the RSS since the age of 16, he embodies the dual appeal of being:
- A grassroots representative with caste-based resonance
- A loyal organizational man trusted within the BJP-RSS framework
This balance makes him a safe yet impactful choice for the Vice Presidency.
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