CP Radhakrishnan: NDA’s Strategic Pick for Vice President Candidate, A Strong Southern Voice in National Leadership

The BJP-led NDA has made a significant and strategic choice by nominating Maharashtra Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy (CP) Radhakrishnan as its Vice-Presidential candidate. Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP stalwart from Tamil Nadu, represents not just political experience but also the rise of a dominant OBC leader from South India.

His nomination comes at a crucial juncture, with elections in Tamil Nadu and Kerala on the horizon, underlining the BJP’s commitment to expanding its footprint in southern India a region where the party has been steadily gaining ground. By fielding a leader who embodies both ideological clarity and grassroots experience, the NDA has sent a clear message: South India will no longer remain outside the BJP’s growing national narrative.

Early Life and Rise Through the Sangh Parivar

Born on 20 October 1957 in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, CP Radhakrishnan’s public life began at the young age of 16 as a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) swayamsevak. His early association with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor of the BJP, laid the foundation for a lifetime of service in the nationalist movement.

By 1974, he was already a member of the State Executive Committee of the Jana Sangh in Tamil Nadu, signaling his rapid rise in political circles. His organizational acumen, grounded in the Sangh’s discipline and ideology, made him one of the most trusted leaders of the BJP in the South.

His electoral breakthrough came in 1998, when he was elected as a Member of Parliament from Coimbatore, shortly after the city had been scarred by deadly bombings. Radhakrishnan’s victory, by a margin of over 1.5 lakh votes, was seen as a triumph of resilience over terror. He repeated his success in 1999, cementing his position as a strong BJP face from Tamil Nadu.

Parliamentary Leadership and National Contributions

In Parliament, CP Radhakrishnan quickly earned a reputation for being a hardworking and results-driven leader. He served as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Textiles, an important sector for Tamil Nadu, while also serving on committees for Finance, Public Sector Undertakings, and the Stock Exchange Scam inquiry.

His stature was recognized internationally when he represented India at the United Nations General Assembly in 2003, focusing on disaster relief and humanitarian coordination. He was also part of India’s first parliamentary delegation to Taiwan in 2004, expanding India’s diplomatic outreach.

Known for his commitment to grassroots issues, Radhakrishnan organized a massive 93-day, 19,000 km Ratha Yatra during his tenure as BJP’s Tamil Nadu President (2004–2007). The Yatra focused on river interlinking, eradicating untouchability, countering terrorism, and pressing for a Uniform Civil Code showcasing his ideological clarity and nationalist vision.

Administrative Experience and Governance Track Record

Beyond electoral politics, CP Radhakrishnan has made significant contributions in governance and administration. As Chairman of the Coir Board (2016–2020), he oversaw record-breaking exports worth ₹2,532 crore, demonstrating his ability to blend tradition with economic opportunity.

Between 2020 and 2022, he was appointed as BJP’s in-charge for Kerala, where he played a crucial role in energizing the cadre and expanding the party’s organizational base.

In 2023, Radhakrishnan was appointed as the Governor of Jharkhand. His proactive governance style saw him visiting all 24 districts of the state within four months directly engaging with citizens, an approach rarely seen among Governors. His tenure earned him widespread appreciation. He later took on additional responsibilities as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, before being sworn in as the Governor of Maharashtra in July 2024.

This wide range of experience from grassroots activism to parliamentary politics and gubernatorial responsibility makes him uniquely suited for the role of India’s Vice President.

Strategic Southern Push: BJP’s Larger Political Message

By fielding CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA has signaled a strategic southern push. For decades, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have remained tough battlegrounds for the BJP. However, with the rapid decline of Congress and the growing dissatisfaction with regional parties, the BJP sees an opening to expand.

Radhakrishnan, being an OBC leader from Tamil Nadu with deep roots in the Sangh and BJP, is the perfect symbol of the party’s intent to connect with southern voters. His nomination also helps in showcasing BJP’s commitment to regional representation at the highest constitutional levels, ensuring that South India’s aspirations are heard in Delhi.

With the Vice Presidential election scheduled for September 9, the BJP-led NDA holds a comfortable advantage, given its strength in Parliament. Even if the opposition fields a candidate, the arithmetic strongly favors the NDA, making Radhakrishnan’s victory almost certain.

A Symbol of BJP’s Expanding National Vision

The nomination of CP Radhakrishnan as the NDA’s Vice-Presidential candidate is far more than a routine political announcement it is a strategic masterstroke. It blends experience, ideology, administrative capability, and regional representation into one powerful choice.

For the BJP, this move sends a strong signal to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the entire southern region that the party is serious about expanding its influence beyond its traditional bastions. For India, it ensures that the Vice Presidency will be held by a leader who has consistently demonstrated commitment to national integration, governance reforms, and grassroots issues.

As the election nears, one thing is clear: CP Radhakrishnan’s rise is not just about occupying a constitutional post it is about strengthening the NDA’s vision of a truly pan-Indian leadership.