India's Vice President Polls Underway: CP Radhakrishnan Emerges Strong Favorite
Updated on Sep - 09 - 2025, 04:34 PM
Today, Indian lawmakers are casting their ballots in the high-stakes Vice Presidential election, held due to the abrupt resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar earlier this year. Voting began at 10 AM in Parliament, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi cast as the first voter. The secret ballots will be counted from 6 PM, with results expected by evening.
The contest pits NDA’s candidate, CP Radhakrishnan (Governor of Maharashtra), against INDIA bloc’s nominee, former Supreme Court Justice B. Sudershan Reddy. With an estimated 427 MPs backing Radhakrishnan far above the 391-needed majority he holds a significant lead over his opponent’s 354 supporters. Several regional parties including the BRS, BJD, and Shiromani Akali Dal have abstained from voting, citing local issues such as the fertilizer crisis.
Inside the Parliament, both alliances mobilized enthusiasm. The NDA held a breakfast meeting, while Prime Minister Modi posted on X, praising Radhakrishnan’s candidacy and expressing confidence in his outcome. Meanwhile, actual voting saw MPs from multiple parties including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Amit Shah, and Nadda cast their votes highlighting the poll’s inclusive nature. NDA politicians, like Pralhad Joshi and PP Chaudhary, were outspoken about Radhakrishnan’s looming victory. Opposition leaders, on the other hand, framed the contest as a moral battle. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor commented, “We know the numbers but conscience should guide votes.”
With both procedural rigor and political drama in full swing, the Vice President’s post a role combining constitutional gravitas and upper-house stewardship is set to be decided by evening. Will the NDA's numerical dominance secure Radhakrishnan’s ascent, or will the opposition’s resolve create surprises?