NDA’s C.P. Radhakrishnan is all set for the Vice Presidential election today, and he’s super confident about clinching a win that he calls a big boost for “Indian nationalism.” As the Maharashtra Governor, Radhakrishnan started his day with a visit to the Ram Temple on Lodhi Road in New Delhi, where he offered prayers before heading into the high-stakes Vice Presidential poll.
Chatting with reporters after his temple visit, Radhakrishnan shared his optimistic vibe: “We are all one, we will be one. We want India to become ‘Viksit Bharat’ and this victory will lead to that.” His words highlight the election’s role in pushing forward India’s development goals.
Radhakrishnan faces tough competition from B. Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge and the pick of the opposition INDIA bloc. This Vice Presidential election in India isn’t just any poll—it’s a key battle that could shape Parliament’s workings, since the Vice President also chairs the Rajya Sabha.
Voting kicks off today from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the New Parliament Building in New Delhi, with vote counting starting at 6:00 p.m. Results for the Vice Presidential election should roll in later that evening, keeping everyone on edge.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely cast the first vote, setting the tone for this important electoral process. Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Ram Mohan Naidu, plus Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, are stepping up as official election agents to smooth things along.
The electoral college for this Vice Presidential poll includes 781 members—542 elected Lok Sabha MPs and 239 Rajya Sabha members (that’s 233 elected plus 12 nominated, though six seats sit vacant across both houses). Every vote counts equally in this secret ballot system, and candidates need at least 391 votes to secure a majority win.
The Vice President’s position opened up after Jagdeep Dhankhar stepped down on July 21 due to health issues, right at the start of Parliament’s monsoon session. Political watchers predict a nail-biting contest, even though the NDA holds a strong numerical edge in the combined strength of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Still, surprises could pop up with possible cross-voting, so all eyes are on the Vice Presidential election results tonight. This showdown could make waves in Indian politics, especially amid talks of nationalism and Viksit Bharat dreams.
