CP Radhakrishnan has been elected as India's new Vice President, securing a resounding victory with 452 votes in Tuesday's election, marking a triumph for the NDA. Named after former President Radhakrishnan by his mother, this victory fulfills a long-standing family aspiration. Chandrapuram Ponusamy Radhakrishnan, known affectionately as CP Radhakrishnan, boasts a remarkable four-decade-long political career, leading the BJP to numerous victories in Tamil Nadu's Kongu region.
Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur
Radhakrishnan was born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, on October 20, 1957. Following his candidacy announcement, his mother Janaki Amma shared memories with the media. "My eldest was named Murugan and the next one was Krishna. Then my husband jested that our son would grow up to be like Dr. Radhakrishnan, India's second President. He was always remarkable in his studies," she reminisced. Janaki Amma served as a primary school teacher.
A Familial Pillar in Politics for 25 Years
CP Radhakrishnan's uncle, CK Kuppusamy, served as a three-time Congress MP, reinforcing the family's deep-rooted history in politics for over 25 years. Starting his political journey in 1974 as a member of the Jana Sangh's state executive committee, CP Radhakrishnan clinched a Lok Sabha seat from Coimbatore in 1998 by defeating DMK's M. Ramnathan. He stands as one of the BJP's noteworthy victors in Tamil Nadu's Lok Sabha elections, further cementing his legacy from 2003 to 2006 as the state's BJP president.
Engaging with Politics through RSS in the '70s
CP Radhakrishnan's political career took flight in the 1970s as an RSS volunteer, eventually becoming a pivotal figure within the state's Jana Sangh committee and playing an instrumental role in organizational efforts. Transitioning from activism to leadership, he was appointed as the Tamil Nadu BJP secretary in 1994.
An alumnus of V.O. Chidambaram College, Coimbatore, Radhakrishnan holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. A multifaceted individual, he excelled as a collegiate table tennis champion and a long-distance runner, with a penchant for cricket and volleyball.
Governorship Roles in Maharashtra and Jharkhand
As Governor of Maharashtra from July 31, 2024, onwards, CP Radhakrishnan previously served as Jharkhand's Governor from February 18, 2023, to July 30, 2024. During his tenure, he also held additional charges for Telangana and Puducherry. Upon his appointment as the Governor of Jharkhand, he embarked on an ambitious tour across all 24 districts, facilitating direct dialogues with citizens and district officials alike.
Elected Twice as Coimbatore MP
Radhakrishnan's legislative impact spans significant tenures in 1998 and 1999 as an MP representing Coimbatore. During his parliamentary service, he chaired the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Textiles, alongside being a member of committees overseeing Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and financial consultations. Additionally, he participated in a special parliamentary committee investigating stock exchange scandals.
Policy and Organizational Leadership:
From 2003 to 2006, CP Radhakrishnan served as Tamil Nadu's BJP president and also supervised BJP affairs in Kerala. In 2004, his parliamentary delegation address at the United Nations General Assembly marked a pivotal diplomatic engagement. A trailblazer, he was among the first Indian parliamentary delegation members to visit Taiwan. His tenure as party president saw the orchestration of a monumental 93-day yatra tackling pressing issues like linking rivers, combatting terrorism, and upholding inclusivity, alongside spearheading textile industry advancements and governance reforms in financial and public sectors.
