New Delhi, September 9 — Voting is currently underway in Parliament to elect India’s 15th Vice President, following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 due to health concerns. The contest pits National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee CP Radhakrishnan, former Governor of Maharashtra and senior BJP leader, against B. Sudershan Reddy, a retired Supreme Court judge backed by the opposition INDIA bloc.
Polling began at 10 AM in Room No. F-101, Vasudha Hall, inside the new Parliament building, and will continue until 5 PM. Members of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are eligible to vote, with the counting of ballots scheduled to begin at 6 PM. The results are expected later in the evening.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to cast his vote, followed by senior leaders including Rajnath Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Kangana Ranaut. The election is being conducted via secret ballot, and MPs are not bound by party whips, allowing for potential cross-voting.
The NDA enters the contest with a clear numerical advantage, commanding support from 425 MPs. With backing from the YSR Congress Party’s 11 lawmakers, the NDA’s effective strength rises to 436. In contrast, the INDIA bloc has the support of 324 MPs. Three regional parties—the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)—have chosen to abstain, lowering the total voting strength to 769.
Despite the numbers favouring Radhakrishnan, opposition leaders have framed the election as an ideological battle. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed confidence in Sudershan Reddy’s candidacy, urging MPs to vote with their conscience. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed similar sentiments, stating that the election should reflect moral judgment rather than numerical dominance.
Both candidates hail from southern India—Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu and Reddy from Telangana—marking a regional shift in the race for the country’s second-highest constitutional office. The Vice President also serves as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, making the outcome significant for legislative proceedings.
The final result will not only determine the next Vice President but also signal the strength and cohesion of political alliances ahead of the 2026 general elections.
