August 17, 2025*: C. P. Radhakrishnan is a well-known Indian politician. He is the current Governor of Maharashtra. He started his role on July 31, 2024. His life is full of hard work and dedication. From a small town in Tamil Nadu to high political offices, his journey inspires many. This article tells his story in simple words. It covers his early life, education, business, political career, and personal life.
Early Life And Education
C. P. Radhakrishnan was born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu. His full name is Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan. His father, C. K. Ponnusamy, and mother, K. Janaki, raised him in a simple family. Life was not always easy in Tiruppur. But young Radhakrishnan was bright and active. He loved sports like table tennis, cricket, and volleyball. He was also a skilled long-distance runner during his school days. His energy and talent showed early.
He studied at V. O. Chidambaram College in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. In 1978, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. His education gave him a strong base. It helped him in his future business and political work. Even as a student, he was curious and hardworking. He later studied political science and communism for a doctorate but did not complete it. His love for learning stayed with him always.
Business Ventures
Before entering politics, Radhakrishnan was a successful businessman. He started making briefs and vests under his brand called "SPICE." His business grew fast. He became the first person from Tiruppur to export cotton knitted fabric to Bangladesh. From 1985 to 1998, he expanded his fabric business to other countries. His hard work made him a respected name in the textile industry. This success gave him confidence to enter public life.
CP Radhakrishnan Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Education, Net Worth, Wife
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan |
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1957 |
| Place of Birth | Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Parents | Father: C. K. Ponnusamy, Mother: K. Janaki |
| Education | Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), V. O. Chidambaram College, 1978 |
| Business Career | Started SPICE brand for briefs and vests; First from Tiruppur to export cotton knitted fabric to Bangladesh (1985-1998) |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Early Political Roles | Joined RSS and Jan Sangh at age 16 (1974); State Executive Member, Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Tamil Nadu (1974) |
| Lok Sabha Elections | Elected MP from Coimbatore (1998, 1999); Contested in 2014, 2019 (did not win) |
| Key Political Positions | President, BJP Tamil Nadu (2003-2006); Chairman, All India Coir Board (2016-2020); BJP In-charge for Kerala (2020-2022) |
| Governor Roles | Governor of Jharkhand (Feb 18, 2023 - July 30, 2024); Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (Mar 19, 2024 - July 30, 2024); Governor of Maharashtra (July 31, 2024 - Present) |
| Notable Achievements | Led 93-day rath yatra in Tamil Nadu; Spoke at UN General Assembly (Oct 20, 2003); Represented India in Taiwan (2014) |
| Personal Life | Married to R. Sumathi (Nov 22, 1985); One son, one daughter; Lives in Tiruppur and official residences |
| Hobbies | Table tennis, cricket, volleyball, long-distance running, travel |
| Environmental Efforts | Walked 280 km for Mullai Periyar Dam; Walked 230 km to save Palar River |
| Controversies | Arrested in 2012 for protesting in Mettupalayam over RSS activist attack |
| Assets (2019) | ₹67 crore (with ₹2.37 crore liabilities) |
| Nickname | “Modi of Tamil Nadu” |
| Current Role (Aug 2025) | Governor of Maharashtra |
Political Journey
Radhakrishnan’s political life began early. At 16, he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Jan Sangh. These groups shaped his ideas. He believed in strong national values and unity. In 1974, he became a State Executive Member of Bharatiya Jana Sangh in Tamil Nadu. Later, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His passion for public service grew stronger.
In 1998, Radhakrishnan got a big chance. He contested the Lok Sabha election from Coimbatore. This was after the 1998 Coimbatore bombings. People wanted change. Radhakrishnan won the election with over 150,000 votes. In 1999, he won again, this time by 55,000 votes. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1998 to 2004. During this time, he worked on important committees. He was part of the Parliamentary Committee for Public Sector Undertakings and the Consultative Committee for Finance. His speeches showed his care for people’s needs.
Key Political Roles
Radhakrishnan’s career grew over the years. From 2003 to 2006, he was the President of BJP Tamil Nadu. He worked hard to make the party stronger. He led a 93-day “rath yatra” across Tamil Nadu. This journey was to connect rivers, fight untouchability, and stop terrorism. He visited every part of the state. People saw him as a leader who cared about their problems.
In 2004, he worked to build alliances with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) left the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. His efforts showed his skill in bringing people together. That same year, he joined a parliamentary delegation to the United Nations. On October 20, 2003, he spoke at the 58th UN General Assembly. He talked about improving disaster relief efforts. His speech made India proud.
Radhakrishnan contested the Lok Sabha elections again in 2014 and 2019 from Coimbatore. He did not win, but he got strong support. In 2014, he secured over 389,000 votes, the highest for a BJP candidate in Tamil Nadu. He lost by a small margin. This showed his popularity. From 2016 to 2020, he was Chairman of the All India Coir Board under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. He helped small businesses grow. In 2020, he became the BJP In-charge for Kerala until 2022. His leadership earned him the nickname “Modi of Tamil Nadu.”
Governor Roles
Radhakrishnan’s biggest roles came as a governor. On February 12, 2023, he was appointed the 10th Governor of Jharkhand. He started his term on February 18, 2023. He worked for the people of Jharkhand with dedication. On March 19, 2024, he got additional responsibilities. He became the Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry after Tamilisai Soundararajan resigned. He served in these roles until July 30, 2024.
On July 27, 2024, he was named the 24th Governor of Maharashtra. He took office on July 31, 2024. As governor, he lives in Raj Bhavan, Mumbai, with other residences in Nagpur, Pune, and Mahabaleshwar. His work as a governor shows his commitment to public service. He is respected for his calm and wise leadership.
Personal Life
Radhakrishnan is a family man. He married R. Sumathi on November 22, 1985. Sumathi is a businesswoman. They have one son and one daughter. His family supports his busy life. He lives in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, when not in official residences. His permanent address is 2, Town Extension, 2 Street, Rayapuram, Tiruppur. He also has a home in New Delhi.
He enjoys simple hobbies. He plays table tennis, cricket, and volleyball. He loves to travel. His favorite places include the USA, UK, France, and Germany. He also cares about nature. He walked 280 km from Madurai to Kambam to raise awareness for the Mullai Periyar Dam. Another time, he walked 230 km from Kudiyatham to Kuppam to save the Palar River. These walks show his love for the environment.
Controversies And Achievements
In 2012, Radhakrishnan was arrested in Mettupalayam. He protested because no action was taken against those who attacked an RSS activist. This showed his strong beliefs. He has no major criminal cases against him. His assets are worth over ₹67 crore, with liabilities of ₹2.37 crore, as per his 2019 election affidavit.
His achievements are many. He represented India in Taiwan in 2014 as part of a parliamentary delegation. He is a senior BJP leader. People admire his honesty and hard work. He is a National Executive Member of the BJP. His nickname, “Modi of Tamil Nadu,” shows his strong leadership style.
Legacy
C. P. Radhakrishnan’s life is a story of growth. He started in a small town. He became a successful businessman. Then, he served as an MP, state president, and governor. His journey is full of lessons. He shows that hard work and care for people can lead to great things. He is a role model for young Indians. His love for sports, nature, and public service makes him special.
As of August 17, 2025, Radhakrishnan continues to serve as Maharashtra’s governor. His work brings hope to many. He connects with people through his simple and honest ways. His story is not just about politics. It is about serving the nation with heart.