The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the post of Vice President. The decision was taken at a meeting of the BJP's parliamentary board on August 17, 2025, and was announced by party president JP Nadda. The election is scheduled to be held on September 9, 2025, following the sudden resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Radhakrishnan's election is being seen as part of the BJP's social engineering and expansion strategy in South India, which sends a different political message than Dhankhar. From Jagdeep Dhankhar to CP Radhakrishnan: BJP's U-turn Jagdeep Dhankhar, who was the Vice President for almost two and a half years, was accused by the opposition of undermining the impartiality of the constitutional post. As the Governor of West Bengal, his constant controversies with the Mamata Banerjee government and sharp statements became his hallmark. His political identity was linked to the Jat community, and his nomination in 2022 was seen as an attempt at social engineering by the BJP in the context of the Jat movement. However, his conduct, especially as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, His sharp and controversial interventions have caused problems for him. Dhankhar resigned on the first day of the recent parliamentary session, after he accepted the opposition's motion to impeach Justice Yashwant Verma without consulting the government. Although he cited health reasons as the reason for his resignation, NDTV revealed that several incidents paved the way for his sudden decision, even though he had shown loyalty to the ruling coalition on several occasions. In contrast, CP Radhakrishnan is seen as a calm, composed, and more suited personality for the constitutional post. With his nomination, the BJP has moved towards balance and harmony in the Rajya Sabha, rather than controversies. Radhakrishnan's calm nature and experienced political background are seen as conducive to the smooth functioning of Parliament. C.P. Radhakrishnan: Personality and Background Chandrapuram Ponnoswamy Radhakrishnan was born on 4 May 1957 in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu. He completed his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from V.O. Chidambaram College, Coimbatore. He was a member of the Rashtriya He has been associated with the Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Sangh, which reflects his deep ideological commitment. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999 and was the President of the Tamil Nadu BJP from 2003 to 2006. Radhakrishnan has held several important positions in his political career: Governorships: Governor of Maharashtra from 31 July 2024, Governor of Jharkhand from 18 February 2023 to 30 July 2024, and Lieutenant Governor with additional charge of Telangana and Puducherry. Parliamentary roles: He served as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Textiles and was a member of the Special Committee to investigate the Stock Exchange Scam. Organizational services: As the president of the Tamil Nadu BJP during 2004-2007, he took out a 93-day Rath Yatra, which aimed to highlight issues such as linking rivers, opposing terrorism, and the abolition of untouchability. Radhakrishnan is also an avid sportsman, having been a table tennis champion and long-distance runner in college. He also enjoys cricket and volleyball. He addressed the United Nations General Assembly in 2004 and Member of the Taiwanese parliamentary delegation. Jagdeep Dhankhar: Personality and Background Jagdeep Dhankhar, a lawyer by profession, started his political career in 1989 as a Lok Sabha member from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, on a Janata Dal ticket. He became a minister in Rajasthan in 1990 and later joined the BJP. His term as the Governor of West Bengal (2019-2022) was fraught with controversy, especially due to his constant tussle with the Trinamool Congress government. His nomination as Vice President in 2022 was seen as an attempt to strengthen the vote bank of the Jat community. However, his quick-tempered behavior during his chairmanship in the Rajya Sabha and conflicts with the opposition raised questions about his impartiality. His resignation gave the BJP an opportunity to bring in a new face that was more inclusive and less controversial. BJP's social engineering and expansion in South India Radhakrishnan's election is part of BJP's strategy of social engineering and strengthening its roots in South India. While Dhankhar's nomination was an attempt to woo the Jat community, Radhakrishnan's The election reflects a strategy to woo OBC and South Indian voters. Radhakrishnan, who hails from Tamil Nadu, is considered a popular face in South India, where the BJP has not had much success except in Karnataka. Radhakrishnan had strongly reacted to DMK leader Adinidhi Stalin's controversial statements on Sanatan Dharma in Tamil Nadu, which shows his commitment to the Hindutva agenda. His performance as Maharashtra Governor has also been praised, which shows his administrative skills. RSS affiliation: Radhakrishnan vs Dhankhar Radhakrishnan's deep affiliation with the RSS sets him apart from Dhankhar. While Dhankhar was a pragmatic political choice with no deep ties to the RSS, Radhakrishnan has been an RSS worker since the age of 17. He played organizational roles in the Jana Sangh and the BJP and has been ideologically aligned with Hindutva. In some posts on X, he is also seen as a favorite of the RSS, which strengthens the ideological foundations of the BJP. The role of the Rajya Sabha Chairman and the BJP's strategy Dhankhar's quick-tempered behavior as Rajya Sabha Chairman led to disputes with the opposition, which led to difficulties in legislation. In contrast, Radhakrishnan's calm and collected nature is being seen as conducive to the smooth operation of the Rajya Sabha. This choice by the BJP indicates that the party is now prioritizing cooperation and balance over conflicts. Conclusion: A strategic choice Radhakrishnan's nomination is being seen as a high-stakes move by political analysts. There is no major political pressure on him, and he is being seen as a candidate who can garner support from all parties. Where Dhankhar's identity was seen as limited to regional and personal boundaries, Radhakrishnan is being seen as a leader with a comprehensive and national vision. His choice reflects the BJP's strategy to strengthen its hold in South India and attract OBC voters. References www.qaumiawaz.com - roznamakhabrein.com - www.etvbharat.com - urdu.siasat.com - urdu.news18.com - urduleaks.com ur.wikipedia.org - urdu.hindusthansamachar.in - www.hindsamachar.in - www.etvbharat.com -