MPs of both houses of Parliament cast their votes for the next Vice President of India. The ruling NDA candidate Tamil Nadu BJP President CP Radhakrishnan defeated the opposition candidate senior advocate B Sudarshan Reddy and won as the 15th Vice President and has created a new history. According to Election Officer Rajya Sabha General Secretary PC Modi, the polling ran from 10 am to 5 pm in room number F-101 located in Vasudha of Parliament House. This historical event is not only limited to the election of the post of Vice President, but also indicates changing equations and future directions in Indian politics. CP Radhakrishnan being elected as the 17th Vice President is not only the result of the strategic understanding of the NDA and the BJP, but it is also a proof that he did not limit the process of individual selection only to the political equation, but also added a comprehensive social and national approach to it.
Radhakrishnan as NDA candidate, India alliance candidate B.K. Sudarshan Reddy defeated, its possibilities were already being expressed. This victory is not only a game of numbers, but it is the victory of ideology, vision and leadership. The post of Vice President is a symbol of constitutional dignity, where the national interest rises above politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP leadership has made it clear by choosing a person like Radhakrishnan that the personality, morality and national perspective of the person holding constitutional positions is all suitable for him. There are many implications of this magnificent victory. First, it further strengthens the political grip and organizational power of BJP and NDA. Second, it highlights the weaknesses and internal differences of the opposition India coalition. Third, it shows the direction of future politics where personal honesty, social acceptance and national vision will get more importance.
Also read: From RSS volunteer to Vice President of the country, know the brilliant political journey of CP Radhakrishnan
CP Radhakrishnan’s selection is also historical in the sense that he is considered a leader working on the practical plane of politics who are not only limited to the party, but also as a comprehensive socio-cultural representative. This step also gives a glimpse of the BJP’s politics where it is not only towards the electoral victory, but towards a long -term cultural and ideological stability. It can be said that in this election many targets have been targeted with one arrow, performing the power of the NDA, a clear message to the opposition, protecting constitutional dignity, and a new tradition of individual selection in future politics. This is a moment in India’s politics that should be seen not only as an electoral victory, but as a comprehensive process of nation building.
The BJP has another arrow. As the politics of Tamil Nadu has traditionally been affected by the Dravidian movements and regional identity, where DMK and AIADMK have been dominated by the last several decades. It has always been challenging for the BJP to create political land in this state. In the 2021 assembly elections, BJP got just 4 seats, while the NDA alliance achieved success in a total of 66 seats. This makes it clear that the BJP’s hold in Tamil Nadu is still weak and needs to make a deep penetration on questions related to regional feelings, language and culture. In this context, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played a strategic bet by making Radhakrishnan the Vice Presidential candidate. Radhakrishnan comes from Tamil Nadu and by putting forward his identity, BJP wants to increase its acceptance in state politics. With this, the BJP wants to convey the message that it respects Tamil identity, culture and regional leadership. With Radhakrishnan’s candidature, the BJP hopes that it will be able to expand its presence and influence in the upcoming assembly elections and will be able to challenge the long dominance of Dravidian politics.
The post of Vice President of India and the Ministry of Vice President is a symbol of the dignity and balance of Indian democracy. This post gives direction to the soul of dialogue, ideology and democratic discourse, not just the center of formality but being the president of the upper house of the Indian Parliament. When this tradition of independent India was given a height of the cultural, moral and intellectual ideals of the nation when a philosopher, thinker and academician like Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan he elevated his personality and work. Through him, the message sent that the post of Vice President not only of political importance but also takes the responsibility of conservation and development of national values. Today, the NDA has a sign of pursuing the bright tradition of Indian politics by bringing effective and creative personality to the post of Vice President by communicating new energy in this tradition. This effort shows that the strength of Indian democracy lies not only in power-struggle but in the selection of personalities in high positions that increase the quality of democracy with morality, scholarship and sensitivity. Remembering the tradition of Dr. Radhakrishnan, it is necessary that the Vice President’s institution remains the center of idealism, depth of discussion and energy of national values.
CP Radhakrishnan’s life is an inspirational example of struggle, practice and continuous activism. Born on 20 October 1957 in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan’s student life was associated with sports and social activities. He was the champion of table tennis and after completing his higher education, joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and proceeded on the path of social service. Radhakrishnan, who started his political life with the State Executive of Jana Sangh in the seventies, gradually became the major face of the Bharatiya Janata Party. From Coimbatore, he was elected a Lok Sabha member twice in 1998 and 1999. His activeness in Parliament, participation in committees and public issues related to the public gave him recognition as a strong man. From 2004 to 2007, he led BJP Tamil Nadu and gave prominence to travel, movement and dialogue for organization expansion. After this, he played an important role in promoting the coconut industry and its exports while being the chairman of the Koir Board.
Radhakrishnan’s administrative visit took him to the post of Governor. He was the Governor of Jharkhand, Telangana and Maharashtra. While in these positions, he acted as a bridge between the public and the government, following transparency, mildness and constitutional values. His image is of a simple, simple and balanced person who believes in finding solutions from dialogue. When the then Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar left the post for health reasons, elections were required for this post. The NDA unanimously nominated Radhakrishnan as the candidate. The opposition also fielded its candidate, but due to the strength, it was clear that Radhakrishnan’s victory is almost sure. Some regional parties distanced away from voting, making the equations even more simple.
With Radhakrishnan becoming Vice President, the culture of restraint and dialogue will be strengthened in the Rajya Sabha proceedings. The responsibility of the Vice President is not only formal, but it is also the patron of the dignity of Parliament and the dignity of the Constitution. Coming from South India and being from the OBC community makes them representative of social and political balance. His whole life has been like a karmayogi. He did not see any position as only as power but considered it an opportunity to serve and perform duty. Now he starts his term as the 15th Vice President, then it can be hoped that he will give height to the level of peace, democratic traditions and dialogues in Parliament. Their experience, patience and dedication will prove helpful in strengthening the democratic structure of the country.
– Fine Garg
Writer, journalist, columnist
(The author has his own views in this article.)