With less than a month left for the elections of India’s new Vice President, political activity in the capital has intensified. Both the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition’s INDIS bloc are preparing for what could be a defining contest ahead of the next round of state and national polls. Sources say Opposition is expected to field a candidate to take on the NDA’s choice
ongress president Mallikarjun Kharge has convened a high-level meeting of Opposition floor leaders on Monday.
The objective, say those in know of developments, is to arrive at a united strategy for the Vice Presidential election. The Opposition is hoping to capitalise on its growing coordination in Parliament and present a single candidate against the NDA’s nominee.
The move may also be a critical test of Opposition unity
NDA huddle under PM Modi
The NDA, on the other hand, has scheduled its Parliamentary Party meeting for August 19
Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the agenda includes upcoming legislative priorities and also a decision on the NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate.
According to sources, a closed-door discussion on August 17 will narrow down choices before the official announcement.
Who could be NDA’s pick?
Speculation is rife within political circles, several names are doing the rounds but with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah at the helm of affairs, it can be virtually anyone
In the meantime a couple of names have been doing the rounds, V K Saxena, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, known for administrative acumen and Arif Mohammad Khan, Governor of Bihar, a seasoned politician who ticks most of the requisite boxes.
Analysts say the BJP’s choice will be more than symbolic and most likely someone with saffron background
The Vice President also serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, a role crucial in steering debates and ensuring the passage of key bills. With the Upper House often posing hurdles, the ruling alliance is likely to choose a candidate with both political weight and Parliamentary tact.
Opposition’ unity test
For the Opposition, the challenge is not just picking a strong candidate, but doing so collectively.
Past Vice Presidential and Presidential elections have often seen divisions among non-NDA parties, weakening their impact. This time, Kharge is pushing hard for consensus, but whether regional players align remains to be seen.
Beyond numbers
While the NDA holds a clear numerical advantage, the Vice Presidential race is also a battle of optics and messaging.
As political meetings pick up pace, the Vice Presidential election is no longer being viewed as a routine constitutional process. Instead, it is emerging as a symbolic battleground for balance of power, strategy, and future alignments in politics.
