Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, known as CP Radhakrishnan, is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran and current Governor of Maharashtra who has been named by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as its candidate for the upcoming vice-presidential election, scheduled for September 9, 2025.
Born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan hails from the influential Kongu Vellalar Gounder community and began his political journey early—joining the RSS and Jan Sangh at just 17. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from V. O. Chidambaram College, Tuticorin, where he was also a college-level table tennis champion.
Radhakrishnan has served in several significant roles within the BJP, including state secretary, state president, and in-charge of BJP’s Kerala affairs. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999, contributing to parliamentary committees like Commerce, PSUs, and Finance, and represented India at international forums including the UN General Assembly.
He stepped into gubernatorial roles beginning with Governor of Jharkhand (Feb 2023), followed by additional charges in Telangana and Puducherry, before being appointed Governor of Maharashtra in July 2024.
At 67, Radhakrishnan’s nomination reflects the NDA’s strategy to balance experience, organizational loyalty, and regional representation—especially appealing to OBC constituencies in Tamil Nadu.
Adding to the significance is that, for the first time since Independence, both major vying candidates for Vice President hail from South India—Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu for the NDA, and Justice B. Sudershan Reddy from Telangana for the INDIA bloc.
Key Highlights:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|
| Education | BBA from V. O. Chidambaram College, Tuticorin; college-level table tennis champion |
| Early Political Roots | Joined RSS/Jan Sangh at age 17 |
| Parliamentary Career | Two-time MP from Coimbatore (1998 & 1999), served on key committees and represented India internationally |
| Party Leadership | Held senior roles: Tamil Nadu BJP state secretary, president, and national organizational responsibilities |
| Gubernatorial Roles | Governor of Jharkhand (2023), Telangana & Puducherry (additional), Maharashtra (2024–present) |
| Vice-Presidential Nomination | NDA’s choice for September 9, 2025 election, leveraging his experience, ideology, and southern appeal |
CP Radhakrishnan’s trajectory—from a BBA graduate and sports enthusiast to a seasoned politician and constitutional appointee—underscores a blend of grassroots discipline, organizational acumen, and strategic leadership. His candidacy signals the NDA’s intent to fortify alliances in southern India and underscore ideological consistency.