C. P. Radhakrishnan, born Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, is an Indian politician, agriculturist, and current Governor of Maharashtra since July 31, 2024. A senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a lifelong member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he has been active in politics for over five decades.
Born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, he served twice as a Member of Parliament from Coimbatore (1998–2004), was Tamil Nadu BJP State President (2003–2006), and held gubernatorial roles in Jharkhand, Telangana, and Puducherry.
On August 17, 2025, he was named the NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate for the September 9 election, per Times of India. Known for his 93-day Rath Yatra in 2004 advocating river-linking and anti-terrorism, Radhakrishnan is respected for his discipline, grassroots connect, and administrative experience.
C. P. Radhakrishnan Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan |
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1957 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 67 years |
| Birthplace | Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Current Residence | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Profession | Politician, Agriculturist |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Social Media | https://x.com/CPRGuv |
Physical Details
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs approx.) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Salt and Pepper |
Early Life
C. P. Radhakrishnan was born into a Kongu Vellalar Gounder family in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu. His father C. K. Ponnusamy and mother K. Janaki raised him in a middle-class background.
At just 16 years old, he joined the RSS and the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, shaping his ideological foundation. During his youth, he was a college table tennis champion and a long-distance runner, reflecting his discipline and leadership traits.
In a 2024 interview with The Hindu, he remarked: “My youth was about discipline and service.”
Before entering full-time politics, he was a successful businessman, exporting cotton fabrics to Bangladesh between 1985 and 1998.
Education
| Education Level | Institution | Qualification |
| College | V. O. Chidambaram College, Thoothukudi | BBA (1978) |
He also pursued research on political science and communism during his doctoral studies, though there is no confirmation of PhD completion.
Family Details
| Relation | Name / Info |
| Father | C. K. Ponnusamy (deceased) |
| Mother | K. Janaki |
| Wife | R. Sumathi (m. 1985 – present) |
| Children | 1 Son, 1 Daughter |
He married R. Sumathi on November 22, 1985. The couple has one son and one daughter. He is also an active member of Lions Clubs International.
Career Highlights
C. P. Radhakrishnan’s career spans over 50 years of political service, leadership roles, and constitutional responsibilities.
Timeline of Achievements
| Year | Milestone |
| 1974 | Joined Bharatiya Jana Sangh as State Executive Member |
| 1980 | Became founding member of BJP |
| 1998 | Elected Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore |
| 1999 | Re-elected as Lok Sabha MP |
| 2003 | Became Tamil Nadu BJP State President |
| 2004 | Led 93-day, 19,000 km Rath Yatra on river-linking & anti-terrorism |
| 2016 | Appointed Chairman, Coir Board of India |
| 2023 | Appointed Governor of Jharkhand |
| 2024 | Given additional charge as Governor of Telangana & Lt. Governor of Puducherry |
| 2024 | Became Governor of Maharashtra |
| 2025 | Named NDA Vice Presidential Candidate |
As a Lok Sabha MP, he served on Textiles, Finance, and Public Sector Committees. In 2003, he addressed the United Nations General Assembly on humanitarian relief.
As Coir Board Chairman (2016–2020), he boosted India’s coir exports significantly. As Jharkhand Governor (2023–24), he toured all 24 districts in just four months to directly engage with citizens.
Net Worth
| Year | Estimated Net Worth |
| 2025 | $6.7 – $8 million (₹55 – 65 crore) |
Income Sources
- Textile export business (1985–1998) → $2–3 million annually
- Political salaries (as MP, Governor) → $18,000–$50,000 per year
- Agricultural land and real estate investments
- Commercial property ownership in Tiruppur
Controversies
- Mettupalayam Protest Arrest (2012): Arrested while protesting inaction against attackers of an RSS activist in Tamil Nadu. Later released without charges.
- Vice Presidential Nomination Criticism (2025): Opposition leaders criticized his RSS background and NDA’s strategy. Radhakrishnan emphasized his constitutional neutrality in response.
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