The life of Shri Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan (C.P. Radhakrishnan) is testimony to the fact that dedication, humbleness, and service to the nation can rise one from the ridges of poverty to some of the top constitutional offices of the land. He was born in 1957 in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, in an atmosphere of hard work and enterprise. Right from childhood, he displayed discipline and maturity towards social responsibility. Being serious about his studies, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration that gave him a good understanding of people as well as management.
Since childhood, he had a liking toward the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. From there, he imbibed values like discipline, simplicity, and service to society. By 1974, still a young man, he was already a state executive member of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, the former avatar of the Bharatiya Janata Party. For him, politics was never a mere profession, but a service, the arena where his life could be dedicated to the nation and its people.
His growth within the BJP was slow and steady, purely based on hard work and commitment. He earned the statewide presence in Tamil Nadu by the year 1996, serving as the Secretary of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. After two years, in 1998, he contested the Lok Sabha election from Coimbatore and stood victorious. The charm of victory stayed with him one more time in 1999, with him successfully being a Member of Parliament twice. An MP, unable to confine himself to routine politics, was once deeply engaged in the formulation of policies that would bring about direct changes in the lives of millions.
He was assigned major responsibilities in Parliament. He very soon became the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Textiles, an important chair given his textile interests in a region famous for its textile industry. He was also a member of the Committees on Public Sector Undertakings, Finance, and the special Parliamentary Committee probing the Stock Exchange Scam. These assignments required seriousness; he had to be honest, and he had to be able to work across party lines, all of which he fulfilled to the letter word of his integrity.
In 2004, he was selected for the Indian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly and represented India with dignity and conviction. He was also part of the first parliamentary delegation to Taiwan, a testament that his leadership was appreciated not just within India but internationally. While India’s voice was beginning to be heard increasingly clearly on the world stage, he helped articulate the democratic values of India.
Following the conclusion of his parliamentary career in 2004, he has been asked to step into a role which was a chairman of BJP in Tamil Nadu with the State President title. This was a time of tremendous activity and vision. He undertook an unprecedented Ratha Yatra across Tamil Nadu, driven nearly 19,000 kilometers in 93 straight days. This experience was not purely political, rather a social Yatra, and he raised awareness on issues as diverse as: linking of rivers, a uniform civil code, abolishing untouchability, anti-terrorism awareness, and drug abuse and awareness prevention. Most will remember the Yatra for its energy, authenticity, and how he connected with the citizens in every region of the state.
Apart from this huge padayatra, he also held dozens of padayatras that sought to bring people together to raise awareness of social issues. In this way, his padayatras demonstrated his distinctiveness in that he was able to seamlessly merge together political activism with social reform, and he managed to do this across locations he never dreamed of traveling to, never mind walking. His padayatras were different than many leaders’ who restricted themselves to speaking and rhetoric when addressing the issues of the people. For him the only way ‘to be one with the people’, was to walk amongst them and share their challenges in their community.
In 2016, he struck an administrative note with his appointment as the Chairman of the Coir Board in Kochi. During his tenure, coir exports went up to the historic levels of RS 2,532 crores, while creating jobs for thousands of workers all across India including rural women. This precluded that he wasn’t just an evolved political leader; he had the requisite administrative capabilities to feasibly convert potential structural changes into tangible impacts on people’s lives. Later – from 2020 to when the Nirmal people/election campaign started in 2022 – he had additional responsibility for BJP party affairs for Kerala – in that he professionally advanced the party in what should have been administered when regional matter had to be cautiously prepared in some of the most uphill political and bureaucratic circumstances.
His next phase of service came in February 2023 when he became the Governor of Jharkhand. His style of acting as a Governor was very different to the expected stereotypical image of Governor as a constitutional head. He once visited all 24 districts of the state within four months, meeting with the people, district administration, and community members in every district. For him, being the Governor was not about being institutionalized in the Raj Bhavan, it was about making sure he understood and knew the real people of the state. His approachability, affable manner, and authenticity dug a deep impression in the people of Jharkhand.
Apart from this, his extra constitutional service as Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant governor of Puducherry, he handled both extra constitutional roles with all the same vigor. These multiple responsibilities placed him demonstrates both the level of trust the Union Government and the President of India placed in him!
He was sworn in as the Governor of Maharashtra on the 31st of July, 2024. Maharashtra is one of India’s largest and most important states, in both historical and economic terms. It was with respect that he embraced the role of Governor. He continued using the same type of leadership style, dignity and humility while focused on people. In Raj Bhavan he created a sense of balance and calm. His involvement with all sections within society reflected his inclusive view.
Radhakrishnan is distinguishable from many others in public life as a person. He has always been known as a leader who is simple, approachable and kind-hearted. He is regarded across the political divide and is usually referred to as “Ajatshatru” meaning no enemies. In Tamil Nadu, a state heavily known for its political rivalry, it is rare to find a leader who commands respect from members of both DMK and AIADMK. Certainly not for political power but for the personal characteristics of sincerity and humility.
Sports had a significant impact on his persona. In college, he was a champion table tennis player and a long-distance runner. He played cricket and volleyball as well. Engaging in sports instilled discipline, drove him physically, and gave him a spirit of perseverance that remains with him through life today. He has traveled the world in his life – USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan, China, and many other places, giving him an international perspective. He appreciates the strengths of India while recognizing the realities of the international environment. When combined with his grassroots, this internationalism allows for a different type of leadership that bridges local challenges with global thinking.
Radhakrishnan embodies the dreams of the OBC communities, as he is from Gounder community in Tamil Nadu. His success is a potent symbol that Indian democracy gives everyone equal opportunity to succeed, provided they are committed and honest. For many of the youth from similar backgrounds, Radhakrishnan’s story is proof that they too may reach the heights of the highest offices of the land by being honest and hard-working.
In August of 2025, the National Democratic Alliance announced him as its candidate for the Vice-President of India. This was received by all sections of Indian society in a positive way, because here is a person of integrity and humility. The Vice-President is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Radhakrishnan’s long experience in Parliament, combined with the fact that he is able to command the respect of all Sahagar parties, will ensure Dignity, Fairness and Wisdom in the conduct of debates in Parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has even complimented C. P. Radhakrishnan for his commitment and intelligence, and his tireless efforts to uplift the marginalized. He has spent his life helping others, providing for others, and forwarding India’s cause as a united country. He had never sought to amass personal power, but has used every opportunity to serve.
In a time when politics is often rife with division, animosity and selfishness, C. P. Radhakrishnan shows us that there is still a time and place for public service to be about simplicity, sacrifice and sincerity. C. P. Radhakrishnan is a builder of bridges, someone who has exemplified that politics is not about having enemies, but rather fostering friendships and establishing a framework for coming together.
While he respects others, including my Governorship, there are challenges to re-frame his ministerial collegiate people; however, unlike some of his colleagues that took views being in charge of every aspect of Governance, C. P. Radhakrishnan was open to shared responsibility with his cabinet and Velu was a confident collaborator. C. P. Radhakrishnan’s humility of origin in Tiruppur, to the consequential and vital role of the Governor of Maharashtra, and now as the candidate for the Vice Presidency of India, truly epitomizes the strength of Indian democracy, that those who devote themselves and serve in different capacities can ascend to the highest constitutional offices of a nation.
His journey of life talks of not only a man’s rise but the values that sustain India’s democracy which include discipline, service, humility and respect for all. To young people of India, he is an example to be emulated. His narrative teaches about what can be achieved by sincere and dedicated service of the nation, with pride, leaving a legacy of good.
With India considering its next Vice President, Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan’s name burns bright. It represents trust, stability, and hope. The presence of C.P. Radhakrishnan in a high office is a metaphor of democratic service and without a doubt will reinforce India’s ambitious steps towards greater unity, inclusivity, and progress.
C.P. Radhakrishnan’s life reminds us that leadership is not about power, but about responsibility. True greatness is selflessly and humbly serving others with diligence and commitment.
(Author is Professor and Chairman of Centre for Narendra Modi Studies (CNMS) www.namostudies.com. Email: [email protected])
