Posted on September 9, 2025
In a day marked by political gravitas and strategic undercurrents, the campus of Parliament House became the stage for a meticulously watched contest. On September 9, 2025, lawmakers convened to elect India’s 14th Vice President a pivotal moment set in motion nearly two months after the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 due to health reasons.
The election began promptly at 10 am, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking the lead casting the very first ballot in the race. His gesture carried significant symbolism, underscoring the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) determination to swiftly consolidate its influence amid mounting political scrutiny.
Close behind the Prime Minister came key figures across the political spectrum: Congress stalwarts Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi cast their votes with solemn resolve, followed by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. From the NDA’s front, BJP President and Union Minister J.P. Nadda, along with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, also exercised their franchise. The polling is set to continue until 5 pm, with vote counting scheduled to begin an hour later poised to reveal the nation’s new Vice President by nightfall.
Candidates in the Spotlight
The contest features two prominent personalities:
• C. P. Radhakrishnan, the NDA’s nominee, is a seasoned figure—a two time Member of Parliament from Coimbatore and the current Governor of Maharashtra. Belonging to the Gounder Kongu Vellalar OBC community, his candidacy signals NDA’s strategic outreach to inclusive representation.
• Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, aged 79, stands for the INDIA bloc as a retired Supreme Court judge from Telangana. Known for his landmark judgements against the Salwa Judum and in black money inquiries, Reddy’s campaign emphasizes constitutional values and the moral duty of governance.
Both have exuded confidence: Justice Reddy framed the election as “attempting to awaken people’s conscience,” while Radhakrishnan cast his campaign as a “victory for Indian nationalism” and vision of a “Viksit Bharat” a developed nation.
Numbers at Play
The electoral college comprises 781 MPs (542 from Lok Sabha, 238 from Rajya Sabha, and one nominated member). With BRS and BJD opting to abstain, the effective voting strength stands at 770, requiring a simple majority of 386 votes to win. The NDA stakes its claim with 425 MPs on paper; potential support from YSR Congress and possibly Delhi’s AAP leader Swati Maliwal could boost their tally to 436. The INDIA bloc, meanwhile, commands 324 MPs, with the allegiance of some independents and smaller parties still undetermined.
Analysts anticipate a notably narrower margin compared to the 2022 Vice Presidential election, where Jagdeep Dhankhar secured a commanding 346 vote victory. Experts now expect a slimmer gap of 100–125 votes an outcome that would place additional weight on every individual vote in the secret ballot system, where cross voting remains a real possibility.
What’s at Stake
Beyond ceremonial titles, the Vice President of India plays a crucial constitutional role serving as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha and stepping in as acting President when needed. Modi’s position remains the country’s executive powerhouse; however, the Vice President’s role is politically charged, particularly as a measure of parliamentary strength ahead of upcoming sessions.
This contest serves as a dual referendum: it evaluates the cohesion and loyalty within the ruling alliance and gauges the opposition’s ability to wield influence in secrecy protected balloting. A robust NDA margin would reinforce its parliamentary dominance, while a tighter result could embolden the INDIA bloc and signal shifting political currents.
The Road Ahead
The nation’s attention now turns toward the evening tally. More than just a vote count, the result will symbolize the prevailing narratives of political unity, leadership legitimacy, and democratic maturity. Will the NDA’s numbers translate into a secure win, or will the INDIA bloc manage to make inroads in unexpected places? All eyes await the result but today, at least, the balloting has set the stage.