Polling is underway in India’s Parliament today, September 9, 2025, to elect the country’s next Vice President. The contest has shaped up between Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, backed by the INDIA opposition bloc, and Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan, the nominee of the ruling NDA. The stakes are high as both alliances seek to demonstrate their parliamentary strength.
Voting Process
- The polling is being held in Parliament House, New Delhi, with MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha forming the electoral college.
- Voting began at 10 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m., followed by counting at 6 p.m.
- The winner will serve as the 15th Vice President of India, succeeding Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned earlier due to health reasons.
Candidates in Focus
- C. P. Radhakrishnan (NDA): Currently Governor of Maharashtra and a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan enjoys broad backing from the NDA, giving him a strong numerical advantage.
- B. Sudershan Reddy (INDIA Bloc): A retired Supreme Court judge, Reddy has been put forward as the opposition’s consensus candidate to test unity within the INDIA bloc.
Numbers Game
- NDA commands support from around 427 MPs, comfortably above the required majority mark of 386 votes.
- The INDIA bloc has backing from approximately 354 MPs, making this an uphill battle for Reddy.
- Abstentions by parties like BJD, BRS, and Akali Dal have further tilted the numbers in NDA’s favor.
Political Dynamics
- The opposition INDIA bloc held a mock voting drill earlier this week to minimize invalid votes and signal cohesion.
- Key leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, have already cast their ballots, reflecting the seriousness of this contest.
- The Vice President’s role as Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha makes this election crucial for shaping legislative dynamics in the run-up to the 2026 general elections.
As polling continues, all eyes remain on Parliament. While numbers clearly back the NDA’s Radhakrishnan, the election is also a symbolic test of the opposition’s ability to rally around a joint candidate. The final results, expected tonight, will determine who occupies the second-highest constitutional office in India.
FOR MORE BLOGS – beyondthepunchlines.com
Author: Team BTP
Add to favorites
