CP Radhakrishnan vs B Sudershan Reddy: How the Vice President of India Is Elected

The Vice President of India election 2025 is set to take place on Tuesday, after Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation in July. What is usually a routine constitutional procedure has turned into a high-stakes political event, drawing intense attention from both the ruling alliance and the Opposition.

The Candidates: CP Radhakrishnan vs B Sudershan Reddy

Representing the NDA is CP Radhakrishnan, a senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu and the current Governor of Maharashtra. Backed by Prime Minister Modi and his allies, he enters the contest with strong political backing and administrative experience.



On the other hand, the INDIA bloc has fielded B Sudershan Reddy, a respected former Supreme Court judge from Telangana. Known for his landmark judgments, including declaring the Salwa Judum unconstitutional, Reddy brings a constitutional and legal perspective into the Vice-Presidential race.

Vice President Voting Process

The Vice President of India election will be conducted in Parliament, where MPs from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, will cast their votes between 10 am and 5 pm through a secret ballot system.

The election follows the principle of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote, ensuring that the process is transparent and fair. The counting of votes will begin at 6 pm under the supervision of the Returning Officer, appointed by the Election Commission.

How the Vice President is Elected

Unlike the President, who is elected by both MPs and MLAs, the Vice President is elected solely by members of Parliament. The procedure is governed by the Vice-President (Election) Rules, 1997, and the Representation of the People Act.

The successful candidate serves a full five-year term, even if the predecessor steps down mid-way. This ensures stability and independence in the constitutional office.

Numbers & Political Projections

Pre-election calculations give CP Radhakrishnan a clear edge. The NDA commands the support of around 439 MPs, with additional backing from the YSR Congress Party. Meanwhile, the BJD and BRS are expected to abstain, impacting Opposition numbers.

Reddy, however, enjoys the backing of the Congress-led INDIA bloc and the Aam Aadmi Party. Analysts suggest that if the Opposition crosses the 324-vote mark, Reddy could become the highest-polling losing candidate in Vice Presidential election history, surpassing Sushil Kumar Shinde’s 305 votes in 2002.

Vice President Eligibility Criteria

To contest the Vice President election in India, candidates must:

• Be a citizen of India
• Be at least 35 years old
• Be qualified for election to the Rajya Sabha
• Not hold any office of profit under the Union or state governments

Roles & Responsibilities of the Vice President

The Vice President of India is the nation’s second-highest constitutional authority. The primary role is to act as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, ensuring smooth functioning of the Upper House. Additionally, the Vice President may also discharge the duties of the President of India if the post becomes vacant or if the President is unable to perform official responsibilities.

What’s at Stake?

With voting set to commence, the Vice President of India election 2025 is being closely watched, not just for its constitutional significance but also as a reflection of today’s political equations in New Delhi.

The election will decide India’s 15th Vice President, a role that will influence both parliamentary proceedings and the balance of power between the ruling alliance and the Opposition.