C P Radhakrishnan: BJP's Strategic Choice for Vice-President
Key Takeaways
- C P Radhakrishnan, current Maharashtra Governor, is BJP’s nominee for Vice-President.
- He is a veteran leader with deep RSS roots and a former Tamil Nadu BJP chief.
- His nomination highlights BJP's focus on southern representation and organizational strength.
- The Vice-President holds the second-highest constitutional office, serving as ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Why in the News?
In a significant political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially announced C P Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. Currently serving as the Governor of Maharashtra, Radhakrishnan's nomination comes as a strategic move, reflecting his extensive experience and deep ties to the party's ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This decision puts an old RSS hand and a former Tamil Nadu BJP chief in contention for the nation's second-highest constitutional office, signaling the BJP's focus on national representation and organizational loyalty.
Background
C P Radhakrishnan's political journey is marked by decades of dedicated service. Born in 1957, he began his association with the RSS at a young age, embodying the organization's core principles throughout his public life. He has twice served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Coimbatore constituency in Tamil Nadu, winning in 1998 and 1999. His tenure as the Tamil Nadu BJP chief was crucial in attempting to expand the party's base in a state traditionally dominated by regional Dravidian parties. Before his appointment as Maharashtra Governor in February 2024, he held the gubernatorial post in Jharkhand since 2023. This rich background, combining electoral politics, party leadership, and administrative experience as a Governor, positions him as a highly experienced choice. The Vice-President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament, and the office is enshrined in Article 63 of the Constitution.
“The office of the Vice-President is not merely a ceremonial role; it is a pivotal constitutional position that safeguards parliamentary decorum and ensures the continuity of the executive in unforeseen circumstances.”
Significance for Aspirants
For UPSC and SSC aspirants, the nomination of C P Radhakrishnan for Vice-President is a critical topic under GS Paper 2: Indian Polity and Constitution. Key areas to focus on include: Constitutional Provisions: Understand Articles 63 to 71 pertaining to the Vice-President. Election Procedure: Grasp the details of the Vice-President's election through an electoral college comprising members of both Houses of Parliament, using proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. Powers and Functions: Learn about the Vice-President's role as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Article 64) and their functions as acting President during a vacancy in the President's office (Article 65). This news also provides an opportunity to revise the differences between the election of the President and Vice-President (e.g., composition of the electoral college). Understanding such high-profile appointments helps aspirants connect current events with foundational constitutional concepts, making it a high-yield topic for both preliminary and mains examinations.