Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan was officially sworn in as the 15th Vice President of India on Friday at a solemn ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to the 67-year-old leader, who appeared in a red kurta and took his oath in English in the name of God. The ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter in the nation’s political leadership, as Radhakrishnan assumes one of the highest constitutional offices in the country.
Radhakrishnan secured the post after winning the vice-presidential election earlier this week, defeating the joint opposition candidate B. Sudershan Reddy by a margin of 152 votes. His victory followed the unexpected resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who stepped down on July 21 due to health reasons. Dhankhar himself was present at the oath-taking ceremony, making his first public appearance since his resignation. The event drew several prominent dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP president JP Nadda, reflecting the significance of the occasion.
Former Vice Presidents Hamid Ansari and Venkaiah Naidu also attended the function, underlining the continuity of India’s democratic traditions. Radhakrishnan’s election comes at a time when the Vice President’s role is expected to be pivotal in shaping debates in the Rajya Sabha and maintaining parliamentary decorum. Political observers view his victory as not only a personal milestone but also a reinforcement of the ruling party’s strength in national politics. With his background as a seasoned leader and parliamentarian, expectations are high for his tenure as he takes on the responsibility of the second-highest office in the land.
