CP Radhakrishnan vs Sudershan Reddy: Battle lines drawn, race for Vice-President's office begins

With INDIA bloc's announcement of the candidature of former Supreme Court judge Sudershan Reddy for the upcoming vice-presidential polls, the line-up for the keenly awaited contest is now final. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had already named Maharashtra Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the post of VP.

Both candidates bring a wealth of experience and diverse backgrounds to the table, making this election a significant one for the country.

This will be a face-off between Radhakrishnan's extensive political experience and grassroots connections and Reddy's legal acumen and commitment to justice. As the election date approaches, the nation will be watching closely to see how the battle unfolds.

Here is a look at the two candidates and their track records and how their credentials stack up in the race for one of the country's top constitutional offices.

CP Radhakrishnan: Sports fan, travellers, true-blue saffron

Radhakrishnan has dedicated over four decades to public service and politics. Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. His political journey began in 1974 as an RSS Swayamsevak, and he later became a State Executive Committee Member of the Bharatiya Janasangh. In 1996, he was appointed Secretary of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, and in 1998, he was elected as an MP from Coimbatore, a position he retained in 1999.

Radhakrishnan's parliamentary work has been extensive. He served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Textiles and was involved in various committees, including those focused on Public Sector Undertakings and Finance. He had a notable role in the Special Parliamentary Committee investigating the Stock Exchange Scam. In 2004, he was part of India's Parliamentary Delegation to the UN General Assembly and the first delegation to Taiwan.

His leadership within the BJP is marked by his presidency in Tamil Nadu from 2004 to 2007, where he led a significant 19,000 km 'Ratha Yatra' to raise awareness on critical issues such as river linking and eradicating terrorism. Radhakrishnan's tenure as Chairman of the Coir Board saw Indian coir exports reach a record high of Rs 2,532 crore.

Most recently, he served as Governor of Jharkhand and took on additional responsibilities in Telangana and Puducherry before being sworn in as Governor of Maharashtra on July 31, 2024. He is also known for his enthusiasm for sports and a love for travel.

Sudershan Reddy: Legal eagle, social justice champion
On the other side, Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge, is the opposition’s candidate. Reddy has a distinguished legal background, having served as the first Lokayukta of Goa and being part of the Board of Trustees for the International Arbitration and Mediation Centre in Hyderabad.

Reddy's legal career began in 1971, and he rose through the ranks, becoming a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995 and later the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in 2005. He joined the Supreme Court on January 12, 2007, and retired in 2011.

Reddy has been a strong advocate for social and political justice, which has defined much of his career. His legal expertise and experience in public service are expected to resonate with voters seeking a candidate with a focus on justice and fairness. He is scheduled to file his nomination on August 21.

With both candidates having impressive credentials, the upcoming vice presidential election promises to be closely contested.