Who will be India's next vice-president? 781 MPs vote today

The race for vice-president is in its final stage as MPs gather in New Delhi to vote. The election, triggered by Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation on July 21, is between two candidates: CP Radhakrishnan, the NDA’s nominee and Maharashtra’s governor, and B Sudershan Reddy, the INDIA bloc’s pick and a retired Supreme Court judge.

While both sides have framed the contest as a test of ideas and governance visions, the numbers appear heavily tilted in favour of the ruling alliance. With 781 members in the electoral college, comprising 542 from the Lok Sabha and 239 from the Rajya Sabha, the majority mark stands at 391.

Numbers on NDA’s side

The BJP-led NDA enjoys a comfortable advantage. Backed by about 427 MPs, the alliance crosses the majority threshold with ease. The support of non-INDIA bloc allies like the YSR Congress Party, which has 11 MPs, further bolsters the NDA’s tally. Meanwhile, parties like the Biju Janata Dal with 7 MPs and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi with 4 MPs have chosen to abstain, reducing the opposition’s numerical strength.

In contrast, the INDIA bloc is fielding 354 members, with the hope of holding them together under the banner of unity against the BJP. Leaders within the bloc have admitted privately that overturning the NDA’s advantage is close to impossible, though they argue that the contest is about drawing attention to broader issues of governance and accountability.

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Voting process

Voting is scheduled to take place in Room No. F-101, Vasudha, Parliament House, from 10 am to 5 pm, with counting set to begin at 6 pm. Reports indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among the first to cast his vote, alongside MPs from Punjab and Haryana.

Unlike most parliamentary votes, the election for the vice-president takes place through a secret ballot. While MPs are technically free from the obligation of following their party’s directive, in practice, few choose to deviate, which typically ensures predictable results. Both the NDA and the INDIA bloc held separate meetings on Monday to brief their MPs on the voting procedure and even conducted mock polls to avoid errors.

Each MP will receive a ballot paper with the names of both candidates. They must indicate their choice by writing the numeral “1” against the preferred candidate’s name. The Election Commission has clarified that numerals may be written in Indian, Roman or any recognised Indian language’s form, but not in words, ensuring clarity in counting.

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Candidates’ profiles

The election has brought two very different candidates to the fore. CP Radhakrishnan, aged 67, has been a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu. He represented Coimbatore in the Lok Sabha during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as prime minister and has served as governor of Jharkhand before assuming charge in Maharashtra in July 2024. The NDA has projected him as a steady hand with political and administrative experience, making him a strong contender to preside over the Rajya Sabha as its ex officio chairman.

On the other side is B Sudershan Reddy, aged 79, a respected jurist from Telangana. Appointed to the Supreme Court in 2007, he retired in 2011 but left a lasting mark through several landmark judgments. Among his most cited rulings is the 2011 verdict striking down Salwa Judum, the state-backed militia formed to counter Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh, as unconstitutional. The judgment drew attention again during the campaign, with home minister Amit Shah alleging that it hampered efforts to tackle Maoist violence in the state.

Reddy also briefly served as the first Lokayukta of Goa but resigned within seven months, citing personal reasons. His supporters have portrayed him as a figure of integrity and judicial independence, while his detractors within the NDA point to his recent meeting with RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, convicted in corruption cases, as a political misstep.

Framing the battle

The NDA has sought to highlight Radhakrishnan’s clean record and his suitability for the role, insisting that his administrative experience will be critical in managing the often fractious proceedings of the upper house. Party leaders have suggested that his appointment would continue the government’s emphasis on stability and discipline within the Rajya Sabha.

The opposition INDIA bloc, meanwhile, has framed the contest as an ideological struggle, despite being outnumbered. By backing Reddy, they argue that the election represents a pushback against the BJP’s political dominance and a chance to spotlight issues of constitutional morality and civil liberties.

What lies ahead

The result of the vice-presidential election is expected late Tuesday evening, shortly after counting concludes. While the outcome appears to be a foregone conclusion, given the NDA’s numbers, the vote will still be closely watched for any unexpected cross-voting or abstentions.

The vice-president holds the second-highest constitutional office in India, functioning also as the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. Though the role does not carry a separate salary, it is accompanied by significant perks and allowances, including accommodation, security, travel benefits and a salary of Rs4 lakh per month for presiding over the Rajya Sabha.

For CP Radhakrishnan, the election is being viewed as a likely coronation, affirming the NDA’s parliamentary dominance. For Sudershan Reddy, it is a chance to leave a symbolic mark by challenging the government on ideological grounds, even if the numbers are not in his favour.

In either case, by the end of the day, India will know who will occupy one of the most critical posts in its constitutional framework, steering the Upper House of Parliament through what promises to be an eventful political season.