India News : The race for India’s next Vice President has begun following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Election Commission has already issued the notification for the polls, and given the current strength of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, their candidate is widely expected to win. However, the opposition INDIA bloc is also considering fielding a joint candidate, which could set the stage for an interesting political contest.
According to reports, the NDA is likely to announce its Vice Presidential nominee anytime after August 15. Sources suggest that during a recent NDA meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National President JP Nadda were entrusted with the responsibility of finalizing the candidate. This meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 7, focused on the upcoming Vice Presidential election and shortlisted several potential names.
Speculation in political circles has narrowed down four prominent figures in the race for the constitutional post. These include Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman and JD(U) leader Harivansh, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat. Each of these names carries significant political weight, though the BJP is known for making surprise announcements, as seen last time with Jagdeep Dhankhar’s unexpected nomination.
Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc is preparing to put up a united front. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has been in talks with various opposition leaders to build consensus around a single candidate. The aim is to create a strong challenge to the NDA’s dominance, although the numbers appear to heavily favor the ruling coalition.
The Vice President of India is elected by an electoral college comprising members from both houses of Parliament. A total of 781 MPs are eligible to vote. In a full turnout, a candidate would require at least 391 votes to secure victory. With around 422 MPs currently aligned with the NDA, their candidate’s win seems almost assured unless unexpected political shifts occur.
As per the Election Commission’s schedule, the last date for filing nominations is August 21, followed by scrutiny of papers on August 22. Candidates will have until August 25 to withdraw their nominations. The voting is scheduled for September 9, and the results will be declared shortly thereafter.
This election will not only decide the country’s next Vice President but could also be an early indicator of the political mood ahead of the 2029 general elections, with both camps eager to showcase unity and strength.
