Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday congratulated Governor CP Radhakrishnan after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) named him its candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election.
After returning from Kolhapur, CM Fadnavis visited Raj Bhavan to personally extend his wishes to Governor Radhakrishnan, the Chief Minister’s Office said.
Deputy CM Shinde also declared his party Shiv Sena’s full support, describig the nomination as a recognition of Radhakrishnan’s integrity and long-standing public service. In a post on X, Shinde wrote that by nominating the Maharashtra Governor, the NDA had “honoured an experienced, wise, honest, and patriotic personality.” He added that Radhakrishnan’s extensive experience in parliamentary affairs and governance makes him well-suited for the role.
Earlier in the day, BJP national president JP Nadda announced Radhakrishnan’s candidature following the party’s Parliamentary Board meeting in New Delhi. The Vice Presidential election is scheduled for September 9.
Born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, the 67-year-old Radhakrishnan has been associated with public service for over four decades. Beginning his political journey with the Jan Sangh and the RSS, he rose through the BJP ranks, serving as Tamil Nadu state president, two-term MP from Coimbatore, and later as chairman of the Coir Board, where he boosted India’s coir exports to record levels.
He has also served as Governor of Jharkhand, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, earning a reputation for accessibility, grassroots governance, and commitment to social welfare initiatives such as tuberculosis eradication.
With his nomination, Radhakrishnan is set to bring his vast political and administrative experience to the national stage, as the NDA gears up for the Vice Presidential polls.