NEW DELHI — India is preparing for the official oath-taking ceremony of its 15th Vice President, Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, following his decisive victory in Tuesday’s election. The new Vice President-elect, who secured 452 of the 767 votes cast, is expected to be sworn in on September 12, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Radhakrishnan, who defeated the opposition’s candidate B. Sudarshan Reddy, must first submit his resignation as the Governor of Maharashtra to President Droupadi Murmu. Following this, the Home Secretary will brief him on the new responsibilities, and the final schedule for the oath ceremony will be confirmed after consultation with the President’s and Prime Minister’s offices.
On Tuesday night, a number of high-profile leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah and J.P. Nadda, and other senior National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders, met with Radhakrishnan to extend their congratulations. More leaders, including some from opposition parties, are expected to call on him today.
In his first public statement after the election results were announced, Radhakrishnan emphasized the need for political parties to work together for the nation’s development. “If we want Viksit Bharat by 2047, we should not do politics in everything. Once the election is over, we have to forget politics and we have to concentrate on development,” he said. He further stated that both the ruling party and the opposition are “two sides of the same coin” and are crucial for a healthy democracy.
Radhakrishnan, who is known as a soft-spoken and non-confrontational leader, will assume the demanding role of Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament, during its winter session, which is scheduled to begin in November. This role comes with the challenge of presiding over a house that has seen significant friction and discord between the ruling and opposition parties in recent years.
In a letter to lawmakers seeking their support during his candidacy, Radhakrishnan had pledged to uphold the dignity of the Rajya Sabha by working closely with all Members of Parliament across party lines. He also highlighted his commitment to social justice, cooperative federalism, and the welfare of the poor.
A two-term Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore, Radhakrishnan has a long history of public service and a deep connection to Tamil Nadu. He has also served as Governor of Jharkhand and held additional charges in Telangana and Puducherry, bringing a wealth of administrative experience to his new constitutional role.