New Delhi: NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan was elected the next vice-president of India, defeating the Opposition INDIA bloc nominee B Sudershan Reddy by 152 votes, getting more than expected votes, a clear indication of cross-voting and support of several unattached parties.

Radhakrishnan secured 452 votes while Reddy got 300 in the polling on Tuesday. A total of 767 votes were polled, and 15 votes were invalid of which NDA leaders fear that 10 were from the ruling alliance. Of the total strength of 781 of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, 14 MPs abstained from polling, including those from BJD, BRS and SAD. On paper, NDA's strength was 427; 11 MPs of YSRCP extended support to the ruling alliance nominee making it 438. But the final tally of Radhakrishnan was 452 votes -- 14 more than the estimated votes in his favour. The INDIA bloc had expected 315 votes for Reddy. But the votes polled for him was only 300, indicating cross voting in favour of the NDA nominee.

According to sources, MPs from AAP, Shiv Sena (UBT) faction appeared to have sided with the NDA nominee. BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal claimed that "nearly 40 Opposition MPs" listened to the voice of their conscience and voted in "some manner" in support of the NDA candidate.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X congratulated Radhakrishnan on winning Vice-Presidential election and said,"His life has always been devoted to serving society and empowering the poor and marginalised. I am confident that he will be an outstanding VP, who will strengthen our Constitutional values and enhance Parliamentary discourse."

Radhakrishnan would be India's 15th vice president when he is sworn in to the post.