August 20, 2025: CP Radhakrishnan, the National Democratic Alliance’s nominee for India’s Vice-Presidency, officially submitted his nomination papers at the Parliament House on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by senior NDA leaders, was present to endorse the candidate, underlining the alliance’s unified support.
The nomination documents were handed to Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody, who serves as the returning officer for the election. Prime Minister Modi, along with Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, personally presented the four sets of papers. Nearly 160 Members of Parliament and Chief Ministers from NDA-governed states attended, demonstrating a coordinated effort to back Radhakrishnan’s candidacy.
Ahead of the nomination filing, Prime Minister Modi praised Radhakrishnan’s decades-long commitment to public service, describing him as principled and dedicated. Modi remarked that Radhakrishnan “is interested in sports but does not play games in politics,” emphasizing his honesty and straightforward approach.
Radhakrishnan, a two-term parliamentarian from Coimbatore and former BJP state president in Tamil Nadu, has been closely associated with the party and its ideological mentor, the RSS. Analysts see his nomination as a strategic step to reinforce NDA’s influence in southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where regional politics play a crucial role.
The opposition alliance, INDIA, has nominated former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy as its candidate. This marks a rare instance where both main alliances have chosen candidates from southern India, highlighting the growing importance of the region in national political contests.
The submission of CP Radhakrishnan’s nomination sets the stage for a tightly contested Vice-Presidential election. Political experts suggest that the upcoming poll will test the alliances’ organizational strength and regional support, making it a closely watched event in Indian politics.
