The stage is set for a contest for India’s vice-presidency, with the two major political alliances announcing their candidates. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has nominated veteran politician and current Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan, while the opposition INDIA bloc has named former Supreme Court judge B Sudarshan Reddy. The election, scheduled for September 9, follows the unexpected resignation of the incumbent, Jagdeep Dhankhar, due to health reasons.
Radhakrishnan, a two-time Member of Parliament from Coimbatore and a long-time BJP loyalist, is viewed as a strategic choice by the party to consolidate its presence in the southern part of the country.
This move has created a ‘South vs South’ narrative, putting key regional parties in a dilemma. Conversely, the INDIA bloc’s nomination of B Sudarshan Reddy, an eminent jurist from Telangana, is an attempt to frame the contest as an ideological battle. Leaders of the opposition coalition have lauded Reddy as a champion of constitutional values, highlighting his long and distinguished career on the bench.
The electoral college, which comprises all Members of Parliament from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, holds the key to the outcome. With a combined strength of 788, a candidate must secure 395 votes to win. The numbers are heavily stacked in the NDA’s favour, which commands a projected majority of over 420 MPs with the support of its allies. While the INDIA bloc is united behind its candidate, the formidable numbers of the ruling alliance suggest a clear path to victory for Radhakrishnan, making the opposition’s campaign largely symbolic.