CP Radhakrishnan Wins Veep Poll, Cross-Voting Claims Steal Spotlight

In a widely anticipated victory, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan has been elected as India’s 15th Vice President, securing a commanding lead over the opposition’s nominee, former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy. While the result reaffirms the NDA’s numerical dominance in Parliament, the final vote tally has sparked a heated debate over alleged cross-voting and the fragile unity of the opposition bloc.

The election, held on Tuesday in Parliament, saw Radhakrishnan garner 452 votes, while Reddy received 300. The contest was necessitated by the sudden resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in July. With the NDA holding a significant majority across both Houses of Parliament, Radhakrishnan’s win was largely a foregone conclusion. The ruling alliance had a clear numerical advantage, with an estimated strength of over 427 MPs, a figure that was bolstered by the support of regional parties like the YSR Congress Party.

However, the final numbers have become the subject of intense political scrutiny. The opposition’s INDIA bloc had claimed the support of 315 MPs, but their candidate’s final vote count fell short by 15 votes. This deficit, combined with a significant number of invalid ballots, has led to accusations of cross-voting and a failure to maintain a united front. The ruling BJP was quick to capitalize on the situation, with leaders pointing to the opposition’s lower-than-expected vote share as a sign of internal dissent and a lack of cohesion.

In a system where voting is by secret ballot and a party whip does not apply, the concept of a “conscience vote” becomes a crucial factor. While the opposition had hoped to sway some NDA MPs to their side, the outcome suggests that the reverse may have occurred. BJP leaders have even claimed that a number of opposition MPs voted for the NDA candidate, a move they attributed to a “nationalistic ideology.” The opposition, on the other hand, has put up a brave face, with some leaders highlighting that their candidate’s vote share had increased compared to the last vice-presidential election, framing the result as a “moral and political defeat” for the NDA despite the arithmetic win.

The outcome of this election, therefore, is more than just a simple tally of votes. It is a reflection of the current political dynamics in the country and an indicator of the challenges facing the opposition’s new-found alliance. While Radhakrishnan’s victory is secure, the lingering questions about cross-voting and the opposition’s internal struggles are likely to dominate political discourse for the foreseeable future.

Who is C.P. Radhakrishnan?

The newly elected Vice President, C.P. Radhakrishnan, is a veteran politician from Tamil Nadu with a long and diverse career in public life. A two-time Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999, he has held several key positions within the BJP, including serving as the party’s state president in Tamil Nadu. Known for his grounded approach and a reputation for integrity, he has also held significant gubernatorial roles, serving as the Governor of Jharkhand and, more recently, of Maharashtra. His extensive experience in both legislative and administrative capacities, coupled with his long-standing association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has been highlighted as a key reason for his nomination. As the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, he is expected to bring his considerable parliamentary and administrative experience to the fore, presiding over the Upper House with a non-confrontational style.

The long-awaited trailer for “Jolly LLB 3” has finally dropped, igniting a wave of excitement among fans and critics alike. Starring the two courtroom mavericks from the franchise, Arshad Warsi and Akshay Kumar, the film promises a spectacular clash of wits and styles. The trailer, which has been met with overwhelmingly positive reactions, suggests that the third installment is set to be a worthy and possibly even superior sequel to its predecessors.

The “Jolly LLB” franchise has carved a unique niche in Bollywood by blending biting social commentary with sharp, situational comedy. The first film, starring Arshad Warsi as the underdog lawyer Jagdish “Jolly” Tyagi, was a sleeper hit that resonated with audiences due to its grounded portrayal of the Indian legal system. Akshay Kumar took over the mantle in the second film, bringing his own brand of mass appeal and humor to the character of Jagdishwar “Jolly” Mishra. The third film, however, breaks new ground by bringing both characters together for the first time.

The trailer sets the stage for a compelling “Jolly vs. Jolly” showdown. We see Arshad Warsi’s character, Jolly Tyagi, representing a group of wronged farmers whose land has been unjustly seized. On the opposite side of the courtroom, defending the powerful and corrupt businessman (played by Gajraj Rao), is Akshay Kumar’s Jolly Mishra. The central conflict appears to be a battle not just of legal strategies, but of ethics and morality. This dual narrative structure, which pits the two Jollys against each other, is a fresh and compelling hook that promises double the drama, comedy, and “kalesh” (chaos), as hinted by Akshay Kumar in his social media post.

Adding to the dynamic is the return of the franchise’s constant, Justice Sunder Lal Tripathi, reprised by the inimitable Saurabh Shukla. His role as the weary, witty, and often exasperated judge caught in the middle of their antics is a fan favorite, and his priceless reactions are sure to be a highlight of the film. The trailer also gives us glimpses of other returning cast members, including Huma Qureshi as Pushpa Pandey Mishra and Amrita Rao as Sandhya Tyagi, adding a layer of continuity and personal stakes to the legal battle.

The trailer successfully captures the essence of what made the previous films so successful: a potent mix of humor, social relevance, and a strong emotional core. It tackles a pressing social issue—the plight of farmers—while maintaining the lighthearted banter and quick-fire dialogues the series is known for. This balance suggests that the film will not only entertain but also make a thoughtful statement, a hallmark of director and writer Subhash Kapoor’s work.

Fans have been quick to praise the trailer, with many noting the palpable chemistry between Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi. The decision to bring both “Jollys” together has been hailed as a brilliant move, a fan-pleasing spectacle that feels like a natural evolution of the franchise. The excitement on social media is a testament to the high expectations for the film, which is scheduled to hit theaters on September 19. If the trailer is any indication, “Jolly LLB 3” is poised to deliver on its promise of being the biggest and most entertaining installment in the series yet.