Voting for the 15th Vice President of India commenced on Tuesday, with members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha casting their ballots in the highly anticipated election. The election is a showdown between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, 68-year-old CP Radhakrishnan, and the opposition-backed candidate, 79-year-old B Sudarshan Reddy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to cast his vote in Parliament, marking the start of the polling process, which is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Contenders
CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA nominee, and B Sudarshan Reddy, supported by the INDIA alliance, are the two main contenders for the post. Radhakrishnan, a former BJP MP and an experienced political figure, is expected to have significant support from the ruling coalition, which commands a majority in both Houses of Parliament. On the other hand, Reddy, though backed by the opposition parties, faces a challenging contest, given the NDA’s strong numbers.
Voting and Expectations
A total of 781 Members of Parliament (MPs) are eligible to vote in the election. This includes both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members. While the voting process itself is relatively straightforward, the outcome of the election is heavily influenced by the party affiliations and support from various political groups. The vote is conducted by secret ballot, meaning MPs are free to vote according to their individual preferences, making the result somewhat unpredictable.
The counting of votes will take place at 6 p.m., followed by the declaration of results. If the vote follows the party line, Radhakrishnan is expected to secure around 422 votes, while Reddy is anticipated to receive 319 votes. This would ensure a clear victory for Radhakrishnan, though the possibility of cross-voting and unexpected shifts in support could alter the final tally.
Key Absences and Strategic Moves
Notably, some regional parties have chosen to remain neutral or withdraw their support in this election. The BRS (Bharat Rashtra Samithi), led by Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, and the BJD (Biju Janata Dal), headed by former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, have both decided not to participate. The BRS, which holds 4 Rajya Sabha seats, and the BJD, with 7 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, have opted to stay out of the race, refraining from endorsing either candidate.
In a similar move, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), with a lone MP in the Lok Sabha, has announced its decision not to vote due to the ongoing flood situation in Punjab. The Akali Dal has cited the crisis as the primary reason for its non-participation.
On the other hand, Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of AIMIM, has publicly declared his party’s support for the opposition candidate, Reddy. This brings a different dynamic to the race, as it reflects the opposition’s attempt to consolidate its votes, despite the NDA’s apparent advantage.
Additionally, 11 MPs from YSRCP (YSR Congress Party) have pledged their votes to support the NDA candidate, Radhakrishnan. These shifts indicate the fluid nature of the election and underscore the importance of securing as many individual votes as possible, even from smaller parties.
The Vacancy
The election is taking place following the resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who stepped down on July 21 citing health reasons. Dhankhar’s term was supposed to run until August 10, 2027. The election to fill his position has thus become a crucial event, with all eyes on the outcome as both sides look to solidify their political standing.
A Crucial Test for Parties
Though the NDA holds a majority in Parliament, the Vice Presidential election is considered a crucial test for both the ruling and opposition parties. While the NDA’s Radhakrishnan is likely to win, the margin of victory could indicate the level of support each alliance has among the MPs. Any deviation from party lines due to cross-voting could signal shifting political alliances or dissatisfaction within the ranks.
The absence of some key regional parties like the BRS and BJD further complicates the situation, as it shows that certain regional leaders are reluctant to take sides, perhaps due to their own strategic calculations in upcoming elections.
