The race for India’s 15th Vice President concludes today, with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the INDIA bloc heading into a ballot contest that will test political unity on both sides.
The NDA’s candidate CP Radhakrishnan, currently serving as Maharashtra governor, is seen as the frontrunner against Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge fielded by the INDIA bloc.
Numbers Game
The electoral college, made up of members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, has an effective strength of 781 (out of 786). To win, a candidate must secure at least 386 votes.
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NDA + YSR Congress Party (YSRCP): 429 MPs
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INDIA bloc: 324 MPs
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Abstentions: 11 lawmakers, including BJD (7 MPs) and BRS (4 MPs), both of which have opted out of the contest.
The polling will be held in Vasudha Hall of the new Parliament building from 10 am to 5 pm, with results expected later in the evening.
Battle Beyond Numbers
While the NDA holds the upper hand numerically, the INDIA bloc has pitched the contest as an “ideological battle.” Congress whip Mohammad Jawed said the Opposition was counting on the “conscience vote” of MPs. Justice Reddy himself made a video appeal to lawmakers, urging them to vote for “the soul and democracy of the country.”
Both camps carried out mock voting drills on Monday to ensure MPs don’t make procedural errors. The Trinamool Congress flew in two senior MPs despite health concerns, while the AAP cited Punjab floods to skip the drill but confirmed attendance today.
Attacks and Counterattacks
The campaign has seen sharp barbs:
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BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Justice Reddy of hypocrisy for seeking support from Lalu Prasad Yadav, convicted in the fodder scam.
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At least eight former judges also criticised Reddy for meeting Yadav, noting that the RJD chief is neither an MP nor part of the electoral college.
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Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah invoked Reddy’s 2011 Salwa Judum judgment, calling it an obstacle in fighting left-wing extremism.
On the Opposition side, leaders defended Reddy’s track record, saying he has always stood by the Constitution.
What Led to This Election
The poll was necessitated after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, following his decision to admit an Opposition-sponsored impeachment notice against a former Delhi high court judge — a move that angered the government.
Security around Parliament has been tightened, with entry restricted only to MPs, authorised officials, and accredited media.
