Will run the House by minimising trouble: Vice President C P Radhakrishnan

New Delhi: C P Radhakrishnan was on Friday sworn in as the 15th Vice President of India at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan, which saw the presence of his predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar for the first time at a public event after his resignation two months ago.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to the 67-year-old leader at the function which saw the attendance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, senior ministers and floor leaders of parties in Parliament among others.

Radhakrishnan, who wore a red kurta, took the oath in English in the name of God. He defeated Opposition candidate Justice B Sudershan Reddy in the election held on September 9 by a margin of 152 votes.

The election was necessitated due to the surprise resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 citing health reasons, though it was speculated that his relationship with the government had soured.

Dhankhar was seated in the front row along with former Vice Presidents Venkaiah Naidu and M Hamid Ansari. Dhankhar was seen in conversation with Naidu. Dhankhar shook hands with Radhakrishnan before the oath.

Former president Ram Nath Kovind, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu were also present at the oath taking.

He also assumed charge as Rajya Sabha Chairperson. In the Parliament Complex, he offered floral tributes at the statues of eminent leaders. He also planted a sapling in the complex.

Radhakrishnan met floor leaders in the Upper House within hours of his swearing-in and sought cooperation from them in running the House smoothly.

This was one of the first engagements of Radhakrishnan after he took oath. He had earlier visited Raj Ghat to pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.

Sources described Radhakrishnan’s deliberations with floor leaders as a “courtesy meeting”. The newly sworn-in Vice President told the leaders that he intends to run the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha by not creating tension among various parties.

Seeking their cooperation in the smooth functioning of the House, sources said Radhakrishnan told the leaders that he has a long tenure as an Opposition lawmaker and he would not discriminate against anyone. He said his intention is to run the House by minimising trouble.

While Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not present as he had left the capital owing to a prior appointment, Congress was represented by Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh.

The meeting was also attended by Ramgopal Yadav (SP), PC Gupta (RJD), John Brittas (CPI-M), Haris Beeran (Muslim League), Praful Patel (NCP), Tambi Dura (AIADMK) and Ayodhya Rami Reddy (YSR Congress) among others were present.