New VP, old warning: Will history repeat?

As C P Radhakrishnan assumes office as India’s vice president and chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Congress has extended its congratulations,but with a pointed reminder. The party cited the words of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s first vice president in 1952, who warned that democracy can turn into tyranny if the opposition is not allowed to criticise government policies freely and fairly.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted this in a post on X, stressing that Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan “practised what he preached, both in letter and spirit.” He recalled that the first VP had emphasized impartiality, fairness, and goodwill toward all parties, underscoring the delicate balance the chair of the Rajya Sabha must maintain.

The reminder comes amid heightened political expectations. The vice-presidential election saw Radhakrishnan, the NDA candidate, secure 452 votes, comfortably defeating the opposition’s joint candidate, Justice (retd) B Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes. Despite the clear numerical victory for the ruling party, Congress and other opposition leaders consider their collective performance respectable, noting a rise from 26% of votes in 2022 to 40% for their candidate this year.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge praised Reddy for his principled stand, while reiterating the Opposition’s united stance. Ramesh framed the election outcome as both a political and moral marker, suggesting that numerical success does not always equate to a moral win.

Political analysts say the real test for Radhakrishnan will not be the election but the daily exercise of neutrality in presiding over a highly polarized Rajya Sabha. Upholding tradition while navigating contemporary political pressures will demand careful judgment. Congress’ reminder is therefore not just ceremonial; it signals the broader expectation that the new VP respects parliamentary democracy’s highest standards.

As Radhakrishnan steps into office, the larger question remains: Can India’s vice president uphold the impartiality that its first occupant championed more than seven decades ago, or will political realities challenge this ideal? Only time will tell if history’s warnings will guide the present.