India is voting today, September 9, 2025, to elect its next Vice President. The contest has come down to two names—C. P. Radhakrishnan, the NDA candidate, and B. Sudershan Reddy, the nominee of the INDIA opposition bloc. With the numbers already favoring the ruling alliance, this election is expected to cement the NDA’s control in Parliament further. Here are five key facts you need to know about the poll.
The Candidates
- C. P. Radhakrishnan is a senior BJP leader and a former MP from Tamil Nadu. He enjoys strong backing from the ruling NDA coalition.
- B. Sudershan Reddy is a retired Supreme Court judge, fielded by the INDIA bloc as their consensus opposition candidate.
The election comes after the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar due to health reasons, leaving the Vice President’s seat vacant.
The Numbers Favor NDA
The NDA has a clear numerical advantage in the electoral college. With support from around 427 Members of Parliament, the ruling alliance crosses the majority threshold comfortably. The INDIA bloc, backing Reddy, has the support of roughly 354 MPs—well short of the mark.
Abstentions Reduce the Majority Mark
Several key regional parties—including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)—have decided to abstain from voting. Their absence brings the effective size of the electoral college down to about 770 MPs, reducing the majority mark to 386 votes. This further strengthens NDA’s prospects.
Voting and Counting Timeline
Voting is taking place in Vasudha Hall, Parliament House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Counting of votes is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The results are expected later tonight. The Vice President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Political Maneuvering
Both sides conducted mock polls in advance to minimize errors and prepare MPs. BJP leaders have also hinted at possible cross-voting in Radhakrishnan’s favor, which could expand the NDA’s margin of victory. The opposition, on the other hand, hopes to demonstrate unity through Reddy’s candidacy, although the numbers remain stacked against them.
Today’s Vice-Presidential poll is more than a routine election—it is a test of strength between the ruling NDA and the INDIA opposition bloc. While numbers indicate a decisive win for C. P. Radhakrishnan, the outcome will also reflect broader political alignments ahead of the 2026 general elections. For now, all eyes are on Parliament, as India prepares to welcome its new Vice President.
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Author: Team BTP
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