Vice Presidential Election Heats Up: Opposition and NDA Gear Up in Delhi
Political buzz is filling New Delhi as the Vice Presidential election approaches on September 9. With just days to go, leaders from both sides are rallying their troops to support their candidates. This high-stakes battle between the opposition’s united front and the ruling NDA promises some intense drama in India’s Parliament.
First, let’s talk about the opposition’s moves. Congress President and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge is hosting a special dinner meeting tonight for MPs from the INDIA bloc at the Parliament Annexe. The goal? To strengthen opposition unity and boost support for their candidate, retired Supreme Court judge Justice (Retd.) B Sudershan Reddy. Kharge wants everyone on the same page to make a strong show against the NDA.
Justice Reddy, a respected jurist from Hyderabad, is gaining more allies. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has thrown his weight behind him. Owaisi shared on X (formerly Twitter) that Telangana’s Chief Minister personally asked for his support, calling Reddy a "respected jurist and fellow Hyderabadi." This endorsement from Owaisi adds firepower to the opposition’s campaign for the Vice President post.
On the other side, the NDA has picked seasoned BJP leader CP Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu. The BJP isn’t wasting any time—they’ve already called all their MPs to Delhi by September 6. BJP President JP Nadda kicked things off with a dinner for party MPs that evening. Then, from September 7 to 8, NDA MPs are attending a two-day workshop at the Parliament complex to get everyone aligned.
The excitement peaks on September 8 with a grand dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence. It’s a clear signal of NDA’s unity as they prepare for the Vice Presidential election. Modi hosting this event shows how seriously the ruling alliance is taking the contest.
Why is this election happening now? The Vice President’s post fell vacant on July 21 when Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned due to health issues, right at the start of the Monsoon Session. As per Article 66 of the Indian Constitution, the election uses a secret ballot by an electoral college made up of all MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. This ensures a fair and democratic process.
As MPs from both sides hustle in Delhi, the Vice Presidential election 2023 is shaping up to be a key test of political alliances. Stay tuned for updates on who emerges victorious in this crucial race for India’s second-highest office.
