Voting is underway today for the high-stakes Vice Presidential election in India, and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sulata Deo has opened up about why her party chose to stay away from the polls. As a regional powerhouse from Odisha, BJD is putting the interests of its people first, she explained.
In a chat with , Rajya Sabha MP Sulata Deo made it clear: “We’re a regional party, not a national one. Our leader Naveen Patnaik calls the shots, and his decision prioritizes Odisha’s people. We respect that fully, so we’re abstaining from voting in this Vice Presidential election.” Deo emphasized that BJD’s move isn’t about picking sides but about staying true to their roots.
When asked if the opposition candidate has a real shot at winning the Vice Presidential election, Deo kept it real. “Voting’s still going on, so it’s anyone’s game until the results come out tonight. No whip means MPs can vote freely, making things unpredictable,” she said. Remember, BJD couldn’t win any seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but holds seven strong spots in the Rajya Sabha.
The Vice Presidential election kicked off at 10 a.m. in the New Parliament Building and runs until 5 p.m., with counting starting sharp at 6 p.m. It’s a direct showdown between NDA’s pick, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, and the opposition INDIA bloc’s choice, former Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy. This battle for India’s second-highest office is drawing eyes from across the political spectrum.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the way by casting his vote early. He shared on X: “Voted in the 2025 Vice President election.” MPs from both NDA and INDIA alliances have been trickling in steadily to vote, with everyone getting the same pens to keep things secret and fair.
In a heartwarming moment, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, now a Rajya Sabha MP, rolled up in a wheelchair to vote, earning applause and respect from all sides. Even with abstentions from parties like BJD, NDA holds a clear numbers advantage in this Vice Presidential election. But the opposition is banking on some surprise cross-votes to shake things up as the drama unfolds. Stay tuned for the results!
