Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 12: Senior BJP leader Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan was on Friday sworn in as the 15th Vice President of India at a solemn ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to the 67-year-old leader, who took oath in English in the name of God. Dressed in a red kurta, Radhakrishnan assumed office in the presence of top dignitaries.

The vice-presidential election, held earlier this week, saw Radhakrishnan secure a convincing victory over the joint opposition nominee B Sudershan Reddy, with a margin of 152 votes. The election had been necessitated following the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 citing health concerns.

Notably, Dhankhar made his first public appearance since stepping down as Vice President and was present at the swearing-in ceremony.

The occasion was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP National President JP Nadda, besides former Vice Presidents Hamid Ansari and Venkaiah Naidu.

Following his election as Vice President, Radhakrishnan had stepped down from his position as the Governor of Maharashtra on Thursday. President Murmu has entrusted Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat with additional charge of Maharashtra until a new appointment is made.