Vice President Poll Today—Will Reddy Upset NDA’s Pick?

Vice President Election 2025: Radhakrishnan and Sudershan Reddy in Final Face-Off

India is set to elect its next Vice President today, September 9, 2025, in a significant political battle between NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan and the INDIA bloc’s candidate B Sudershan Reddy. This election is not only about filling a constitutional vacancy but also reflects the strength and strategy of both major political coalitions.

Why is the Vice President Election Happening Now?

The election for Vice President became necessary after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post on July 21, 2025, citing health-related concerns. According to Article 67 and 68 of the Indian Constitution, a vacancy in this office must be filled as soon as possible. The Vice President serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and is second in line to assume the Presidency in case of a vacancy. Today’s election is especially historic because it is the first time since 1987 that a Vice President election is being held before the completion of a regular term.

How is the Vice President Elected?

The Vice President of India is elected by an electoral college that includes all members of both Houses of Parliament, nominated Rajya Sabha members included. Voting takes place through a system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (STV). Each MP casts a ranked preference ballot, and if no candidate reaches the required quota in the first count, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are transferred based on second preferences. This process continues until one candidate secures the majority quota.

Candidate Profile: CP Radhakrishnan

The NDA candidate, CP Radhakrishnan, is a veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu and currently serves as the Governor of Maharashtra. He is widely respected for his clean image and long-standing political experience. Earlier in his career, he represented Coimbatore as a Member of Parliament and later held key leadership roles within the party. His nomination is a calculated choice by the BJP, aiming to highlight experience, regional representation, and loyalty. Backed by all NDA allies and additional support from the YSR Congress Party, Radhakrishnan enters this contest as the clear front-runner.

Candidate Profile: B Sudershan Reddy

The INDIA bloc has fielded Justice (Retd.) B Sudershan Reddy, a distinguished former Supreme Court judge from Telangana. He is best known for his landmark judgments in cases like Salwa Judum and black money investigations. By nominating him, the opposition hopes to present a candidate who symbolizes integrity, constitutional values, and independence from partisan politics. His candidature represents a moral counterpoint to the NDA’s numerical advantage and aims to project the INDIA bloc as a defender of democratic institutions.

The Numbers Game in the Vice President Election

The electoral college for the Vice President’s post includes around 781 MPs—543 from the Lok Sabha and 238 from the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members. However, due to abstentions by BJD, BRS, and Shiromani Akali Dal, the effective number of voters is approximately 770. This places the majority mark at 386 votes. The NDA, with about 425 MPs and additional support from the YSRCP, holds close to 436 votes, comfortably above the required mark. The INDIA bloc, on the other hand, has around 324 MPs backing its candidate. While Sudershan Reddy may not have the numbers to win, the opposition hopes for a strong showing that can demonstrate unity and strengthen its position in future political battles.

Today’s Election Timeline

Voting for the Vice President election began at 10 AM inside the Parliament House and will continue until 5 PM. The voting is conducted through a secret ballot, ensuring that MPs can exercise their choice independently. The counting of votes is scheduled to begin shortly after 6 PM, and the results will likely be declared by late evening. Both alliances have briefed their MPs thoroughly to avoid invalid votes, a problem that has occurred in past elections. Leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the NDA side and Sonia Gandhi along with Mallikarjun Kharge on the INDIA bloc side have addressed their respective MPs, urging them to vote responsibly.

Why the Vice President Election Matters

The office of the Vice President carries both constitutional responsibility and political influence. As the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha, the Vice President plays a critical role in maintaining parliamentary order and enabling legislative discussions. The Vice President also assumes the role of acting President in the event of a vacancy in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Beyond the constitutional functions, this election is also symbolic. For the NDA, a win by Radhakrishnan would reaffirm its majority strength in Parliament and consolidate its political narrative. For the INDIA bloc, the fight is less about winning and more about proving unity, moral authority, and the ability to challenge the government on national platforms.

Symbolism and Strategy

The choice of candidates reflects the strategic approach of both camps. The NDA’s selection of CP Radhakrishnan highlights organizational loyalty and governance experience, while also expanding the party’s appeal in southern India. The INDIA bloc’s selection of a retired Supreme Court judge aims to emphasize independence, ethical values, and constitutional balance. While numbers favor Radhakrishnan, the opposition hopes that Sudershan Reddy’s candidature sends a strong message about the importance of accountability and democracy.

What to Expect in the Results

With the NDA’s numerical advantage, CP Radhakrishnan is widely expected to secure an easy victory. However, the final results may reveal interesting details such as the extent of opposition unity and whether there was any cross-voting by MPs. Even if Reddy falls short of the majority mark, his tally will be closely watched as a measure of the INDIA bloc’s parliamentary influence. A closer-than-expected result could embolden the opposition for future contests, while a landslide win for Radhakrishnan would give the NDA additional confidence as it looks ahead to upcoming legislative sessions.

Key Takeaways for Readers

The Vice President election is not just another political event but a crucial constitutional exercise that reflects India’s democratic strength. The process highlights the role of Parliament in shaping the top leadership of the country and demonstrates how alliances and numbers determine outcomes in high offices. While today’s contest is tilted in favor of the NDA, the INDIA bloc’s decision to contest seriously shows that the opposition is keen to make every electoral battle count.

In conclusion, the race between CP Radhakrishnan and B Sudershan Reddy for the post of Vice President is a story of numbers, symbolism, and political balance. Radhakrishnan’s victory appears almost certain, but the larger takeaway lies in how both sides frame this contest—as a show of strength for the NDA and a test of unity for the INDIA bloc. By tonight, India will know its new Vice President, and the result will set the tone for parliamentary politics in the months to come.

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