**BJP Nominates Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan for Vice President**
The BJP-led NDA has officially nominated Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the upcoming Vice Presidential election. This decision was announced after a meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s parliamentary board, which included prominent leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The announcement comes in the wake of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s unexpected resignation on July 21 due to health issues. Dhankhar, who was 74, stepped down just two years into his term, which began in August 2022.
**Who is CP Radhakrishnan?**
Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan took the oath as the Governor of Maharashtra on July 31, 2024. Before this role, he served as the Governor of Jharkhand for approximately 18 months. During his tenure in Jharkhand, he also held additional responsibilities as the Governor of Telangana and the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, appointed by the President of India.
Radhakrishnan boasts over 40 years of experience in public service and politics in Tamil Nadu. Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. His political journey began as a volunteer with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In 1974, he became a member of the State Executive Committee of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh in Tamil Nadu, and in 1996, he was appointed Secretary of the BJP in the state.
He served two terms as a Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999, where he chaired the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Textiles and participated in committees on Public Sector Undertakings and Finance. Radhakrishnan was also part of a parliamentary delegation to the UN General Assembly in 2004 and the first Indian delegation to Taiwan. Prior to his governorship in Jharkhand, he was the BJP State President in Tamil Nadu from 2004 to 2007, leading a significant 93-day, 19,000-km Ratha Yatra focused on various social issues.
As Chairman of the Coir Board from 2016 to 2020, Radhakrishnan played a pivotal role in achieving record export figures, reaching Rs 2,532 crore. From 2020 to 2022, he served as the All India in Charge of the BJP for Kerala.
Radhakrishnan has a longstanding passion for sports, excelling in table tennis and long-distance running during his college years, and actively participating in cricket and volleyball.
In conclusion, CP Radhakrishnan’s extensive experience in governance and politics positions him as a significant candidate for the Vice Presidential role, following the recent changes in leadership.
**FAQ**
**What are CP Radhakrishnan’s notable achievements?**
CP Radhakrishnan has held various significant positions, including Governor of Jharkhand and Maharashtra, and has been instrumental in public administration, achieving record export figures during his tenure as Chairman of the Coir Board.
