New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated CP Radhakrishnan on taking oath as the 15th Vice President of India, lauding his lifelong commitment to public service, nation-building, and democratic values.

Sharing his message on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, “Attended the oath-taking ceremony of Thiru CP Radhakrishnan Ji. A dedicated public servant, he has devoted his life to nation-building, social service, and strengthening democratic values. Wishing him a successful Vice Presidential tenure, dedicated to the service of the people.”

The oath-taking ceremony took place at the iconic Rashtrapati Bhavan, with President Droupadi Murmu administering the oath of office. The event was attended by several top political leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, and former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, marking a smooth transition of leadership.

Radhakrishnan’s rise to the Vice-Presidency comes after his decisive victory in the Vice-Presidential election, where he secured 452 first-preference votes, defeating opposition-backed candidate B. Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes. His election is being widely viewed as a unifying choice, owing to his calm political persona and reputation for consensus-building.

Before assuming the Vice-Presidential office, CP Radhakrishnan served as the Governor of Maharashtra and has previously held gubernatorial roles in Jharkhand, Telangana, and Puducherry. A veteran leader from Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan began his political career as a student leader and was elected twice to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore.

His long-standing association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with his clean image and ability to work across party lines, played a significant role in his elevation.

With his swearing-in, Radhakrishnan has also taken charge as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, India’s Upper House of Parliament, where he is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining decorum and facilitating smooth legislative functioning.