NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday extended its best wishes to Vice President-elect C. P. Radhakrishnan, recalling the words of India’s first Vice President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who in the Rajya Sabha in 1952 had warned that a democracy risks “degenerating into a tyranny if it does not allow opposition groups to criticise fairly, freely, and frankly the policies of the government.”
The party noted that Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan exemplified these principles in both letter and spirit.
Congress General Secretary (in-charge of communications) Jairam Ramesh said, “While extending best wishes to Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, the newly-elected Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Indian National Congress recalls the wise words of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the first Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.”
Ramesh added, “On the opening day of the Rajya Sabha on May 16, 1952, the eminent philosopher, educationist, author, and diplomat stated: ‘I belong to no party, and that means I belong to every party in this House. It shall be my endeavour to uphold the highest traditions of parliamentary democracy and act towards each party with fairness and impartiality—ill-will to none and goodwill to all… A democracy is likely to degenerate into a tyranny if it does not allow opposition groups to criticise fairly, freely, and frankly the policies of the Government.’ Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan practised what he preached, both in letter and spirit.”
NDA candidate C. P. Radhakrishnan was elected India’s next Vice President with 452 votes, defeating opposition candidate B. Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes, securing a larger-than-expected margin.
Following the results, the Congress had described the BJP’s “arithmetical” win as both a “moral and political defeat” for the ruling party, while highlighting the opposition’s unity and “respectable” performance. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge congratulated Radhakrishnan on his victory and expressed gratitude to Reddy for being the “joint candidate of the united Opposition” and for his spirited, principled contest.
Ramesh emphasized, “The Opposition stood united for the vice presidential election. Its performance has been most respectable, with Justice (Retd) B. Sudershan Reddy securing 40% of the vote, compared to 26% in the 2022 election. While the BJP has won arithmetically, it represents a moral and political defeat. The ideological battle continues undiminished.”
