C.P. Radhakrishnan Biography, Know About His Educational Qualifications, Political Career and Other Details

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has nominated CP Radhakrishnan, a senior BJP leader and current Governor of Maharashtra, as its candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election scheduled on September 9, 2025. His nomination came right after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned due to health issues.

This announcement is a significant moment in Radhakrishnan’s political journey, which spans over four decades. From starting as a young RSS activist in Tamil Nadu to holding top constitutional positions, his story reflects both persistence and dedication.

Who is CP Radhakrishnan?

• Full Name: Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan
• Birthplace: Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu
• Community: Kongu Vellalar Gounder
• Education: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), V. O. Chidambaram College, Thoothukudi
• Sports: Won a college-level table tennis championship

From an early age, Radhakrishnan was interested in public life. At 17 years old, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which later became the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This early involvement laid the foundation for his long and active career in politics.

Political Journey of C.P. Radhakrishnan

Radhakrishnan’s political career began in 1974, when he became a member of the state executive committee of the Jan Sangh. This marked his formal entry into organized politics.

Lok Sabha Career

• 1998: He first won a seat in the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore. This was a historic election for the BJP in Tamil Nadu, as only three candidates from the party won, thanks to an alliance with the AIADMK.
• 1999: He was re-elected, defeating CPI leader R. Nallakannu.

During his tenure in Parliament, he:

• Served on the Finance and Public Sector Undertakings Committees.
• Chaired the Standing Committee on Textiles.
• Represented India at the United Nations General Assembly in 2004, where he spoke about disaster relief and humanitarian efforts.

State Leadership

In 2004, he was made President of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit. To connect with people, he led a 93-day, 19,000 km “Rath Yatra” across the state, highlighting social issues like:

• Eradication of untouchability
• River-linking projects
• Campaigns against terrorism

Radhakrishnan as Governor

• February 2023: Appointed as Governor of Jharkhand. He visited all 24 districts within the first few months of his tenure to understand ground realities.
• March 2024: Took on additional roles as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry after Tamilisai Soundararajan’s resignation.
• July 2024: Became the Governor of Maharashtra, handing over his earlier responsibilities in Telangana and Puducherry to successors.

His time as governor is often remembered for his grassroots approach, where he directly interacted with local communities and leaders.

Vice Presidential Election 2025

• Election Date: September 9, 2025
• Nomination Deadline: August 21
• Withdrawal Deadline: August 25

Following Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation, BJP National President JP Nadda officially declared CP Radhakrishnan as the NDA’s candidate. If elected, he will also become the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

Why His Candidacy Matters?

Radhakrishnan’s nomination is seen as:

• A recognition of his loyalty and long service to the BJP and RSS.
• A step to give greater representation to southern India in top constitutional posts.
• Proof of his ability to handle both political and administrative responsibilities effectively.