Born in Tiruppur, Radhakrishnan was one of the few BJP leaders to make an early mark in the state. He may be a loyal foot soldier of the Sangh Parivar, but his political relevance in Tamil Nadu has long since faded. His brief moment of electoral success in Coimbatore in the late 1990s occurred under conditions that no longer exist. Since then, despite years in organisational roles, he has failed to expand the BJP’s appeal in the state.

Before his current role as Maharashtra governor, which began in July 2024, Radhakrishnan served as Jharkhand governor, where his tenure coincided with the arrest of then-chief minister Hemant Soren, who accused him of being part of a “conspiracy” orchestrated by the Centre.

Given the NDA’s parliamentary strength, Radhakrishnan’s election on 9 September may be a matter of formality.

Ultimately, though, C.P. Radhakrishnan’s nomination says more about the BJP’s internal comfort zone than its readiness to engage with the South on equal terms. It is a move designed to signal, not to solve — a routine nod to inclusivity that avoids the hard work of building consensus, credibility and connection on the ground.

But Tamil Nadu — and by extension, South India — deserve better than symbolic overtures. And so, for that matter, does the vice-presidency.