Seven Major Takeaways from India’s Vice President Election
NDA's V ice President nominee CP Radhakrishnan at a meeting in parliament on Monday! (Image X.com)
From a rare mid-term poll triggered by Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation to opposition’s judicial symbolism and regional abstentions, the Vice Presidential election reflects both India’s constitutional resilience and deepening political divides.
By KUMAR VIKRAM
NEW DELHI, September 9, 2025 — Voting in the election for the Vice President of India election begins at 10 AM on Tuesday. Ruling NDA and the Opposition INDIA bloc have held marathon strategy sessions in the run up to the voting.
Here are seven Key Takeaways from the Election:
- A Rare Mid-Term Vice Presidential Election
India is witnessing its first mid-term Vice Presidential election since 1987, following Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation in July 2025 due to health concerns. The election underscores Article 68’s mandate for continuity in the second-highest constitutional office, also the chair of the Rajya Sabha. - NDA’s Numerical Advantage
With 423 MPs in its fold, including support from the YSR Congress, the NDA’s candidate C.P. Radhakrishnan enjoys a clear arithmetic edge in the 782-member electoral college. This reflects the coalition’s dominance post-2024 Lok Sabha polls. - Opposition’s Symbolic Challenge
The INDIA bloc has fielded former Supreme Court Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, signaling a push for judicial independence and neutrality in constitutional roles. Yet, with only 315 MPs and a weak Rajya Sabha presence, the opposition’s bid remains more ideological than numerical. - Secret Ballot and Scope for Crossvoting
MPs vote through proportional representation and secret ballot, immune to whips and anti-defection law. This opens possibilities of crossvoting, as seen in 2022, making the poll a subtle test of loyalties within fractured opposition benches. - Regional Abstentions Shift the Arithmetic
Parties like BJD, BRS, and SAD have opted to abstain, shrinking the effective electorate to about 770 MPs and lowering the majority mark to 386. Their decision highlights regional autonomy strategies ahead of upcoming state polls. - A Contest of Ideologies and Institutions
The poll is more than procedural: it pits governance continuity embodied by Radhakrishnan against Reddy’s judicial symbolism. Critics note Reddy’s past political interactions, sparking debate on impartiality in high constitutional offices. - Smooth Polling, Larger Democratic Lessons
Polling and counting on the same day reflect the Election Commission’s efficiency, complete with mock drills to avoid invalid votes. The contest reveals both India’s institutional resilience and the sharpening ideological divides shaping its democracy.
This election is a reminder that while numbers favour the ruling coalition, the Vice Presidency remains a stage where constitutional symbolism, opposition messaging, and regional calculations converge.
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