The results of the Vice President election 2025 have created ripples across the political spectrum. NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan emerged victorious, but the margin of his win has raised eyebrows. He secured 452 votes, while the NDA’s confirmed strength in Parliament was 427. With YSRCP, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, providing the support of 11 MPs, the NDA expected 438 votes. The tally exceeded expectations by 14 votes, sparking debates about possible cross-voting from opposition members.
CP Radhakrishnan’s Victory and the Numbers Game
CP Radhakrishnan’s victory was formally declared on Tuesday. His total of 452 votes went beyond predictions. Meanwhile, INDIA alliance candidate Sudarshan Reddy suffered a setback when 15 of his votes were declared invalid.
Rajya Sabha Secretary General and Returning Officer PC Modi announced the results. He confirmed that 98.2 percent turnout was recorded. Out of 781 eligible members, 767 voted, including one postal ballot. Among these, 15 ballots were invalid, leading to an unusual margin that triggered political speculation.
The electoral college for the Vice President’s election included 233 elected Rajya Sabha members, 12 nominated members, and 543 Lok Sabha members. Currently, five Rajya Sabha seats and one Lok Sabha seat were vacant, reducing the total to 781 members. Biju Janata Dal, Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and Shiromani Akali Dal chose to abstain from voting.
Cross-Voting Allegations
The additional votes secured by Radhakrishnan quickly fueled talk of cross-voting. According to reports, NDA leaders suggested that some opposition MPs from Jharkhand and Maharashtra supported Radhakrishnan. Sources within the BJP pointed out that he had previously served as Governor in both states, which may have influenced lawmakers’ decisions.
At the same time, certain opposition leaders accused Aam Aadmi Party and Shiv Sena (UBT) of being responsible for cross-voting. Both parties, however, denied the allegations and reaffirmed their commitment to the INDIA alliance.
BJP Leaders on the Unexpected Support
Union Minister Piyush Goyal reacted to the results by highlighting the significance of the additional votes. He said that NDA’s strength was 427 but Radhakrishnan received 25 more. Goyal claimed that this reflected the growing acceptance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and policies. According to him, India’s path of prosperity, development, and inclusivity is so evident that even members of the opposition could not resist supporting the NDA candidate.
Lok Sabha BJP Chief Whip Sanjay Jaiswal expressed gratitude toward all MPs who supported Radhakrishnan. Speaking to reporters in Parliament, he noted that nearly 40 MPs from the opposition camp voted for the NDA candidate after listening to their conscience. He described this as not only a political but also a moral victory for the NDA.
Cracks in Opposition Unity
The election results have raised uncomfortable questions for the INDIA alliance. Despite campaigning together, the bloc failed to retain unity during voting. Analysts observed that the invalidation of 15 votes belonging to Sudarshan Reddy revealed weak coordination and a lack of discipline.
Although parties like DMK, TMC, and RJD openly supported the INDIA bloc candidate, the final outcome suggested otherwise. Political observers argue that the vote pattern exposed clear fissures in the opposition’s much-hyped unity.
Campaign Efforts by NDA
Insiders revealed that BJP and its allies conducted an extensive campaign to secure Radhakrishnan’s win. While no whip was issued, the outreach strategy targeted undecided MPs and those dissatisfied within the opposition bloc. The outcome indicates that the effort was successful, as Radhakrishnan managed to attract support from outside NDA’s ranks.
The party projected Radhakrishnan as an experienced leader with a clean image, which may have appealed to MPs across party lines. His past tenure as Governor in different states also strengthened his reputation and credibility.
Implications for the INDIA Bloc
For the INDIA alliance, this result has been a setback that questions its ability to remain united. Losing by a wide margin while also witnessing invalid ballots has raised doubts about its readiness to challenge the NDA in larger political battles. The result has also sparked internal blame games, with fingers pointed at certain allies suspected of betraying the bloc.
Analysts suggest that unless the INDIA bloc strengthens internal trust and discipline, its future attempts to counter NDA will remain fragile. The Vice President election has thus become a reminder of the importance of unity and coordination in parliamentary politics.
Broader Political Significance
The Vice President election is more than a constitutional formality. It reflects the prevailing political mood and showcases party strength. Radhakrishnan’s additional votes highlight that ideological differences are not always enough to guarantee party loyalty. For the NDA, this outcome demonstrates its ability to extend influence beyond its confirmed numbers.
For the opposition, the challenge now lies in repairing the cracks and regaining credibility. Failure to do so could weaken its positioning ahead of future electoral contests.
CP Radhakrishnan’s victory in the Vice President election 2025 was decisive but not without controversy. His tally of 452 votes exceeded the NDA’s expected count, sparking debates on cross-voting and opposition discipline. BJP leaders celebrated the win as proof of Prime Minister Modi’s strong leadership, while the INDIA alliance faced criticism for failing to maintain unity.
The additional 14 votes and 15 invalid ballots have turned a routine election into a major political story. Going forward, the result will continue to shape discussions about parliamentary politics, alliance strategies, and the shifting loyalties of MPs. For now, Radhakrishnan’s success stands as a clear signal of NDA’s growing influence and the fragile state of opposition solidarity.
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