Opposition's 40% vote share in VP polls a "respectable performance": Jairam Ramesh

New Delhi [India], September 10 (ANI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said the Opposition's performance in the Vice Presidential election was "respectable," noting that its joint candidate Justice B Sudershan Reddy (retd) secured 40 per cent of the vote.
National Democratic Alliance candidate CP Radhakrishnan was elected as the 15th Vice President on Tuesday.
Ramesh contrasted the result with the 2022 Vice Presidential polls, when the Opposition's share was 26 per cent.
"The Opposition stood united for the Vice Presidential election. Its performance has undeniably been most respectable. Its joint candidate Justice (retd) B. Sudershan Reddy secured 40% of the vote. In 2022, the Opposition had received 26% of the vote in the Vice Presidential elections," Ramesh said in a post on X.
"The BJP's arithmetical victory is really both a moral and political defeat. The ideological battle continues undiminished," he added.
Radhakrishnan defeated INDIA bloc nominee Justice B Sudershan Reddy by 152 votes in the Vice Presidential elections on Tuesday.
CP Radhakrishnan received 452 first preference votes whereas Justice Reddy received 300 first preference votes. Fifteen votes were considered invalid.
"NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan got 452 first preference votes. He has been elected as the Vice President of India...Justice Sudershan Reddy secured 300 first preference votes," Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody said at a press conference.
The Vice President's post has been vacant since July 21, 2025, as Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his position, citing health reasons. (ANI)