The Vice Presidential election is not just another formality it is a battle of strategy, secrecy, and numbers. Unlike normal votes, this one is through a secret ballot, where even the party whip does not apply. That makes every single vote crucial. To ensure no mistakes or cross-voting, the NDA is putting its MPs through a training camp on how to mark, fold, and cast their ballot. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will even host a dinner to consolidate unity before voting.
How the Vice Presidential Election is Conducted
The Vice President of India is elected by both Houses of Parliament Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha through a secret ballot system. Unlike other parliamentary votes, this one does not allow a whip, meaning MPs are free to vote as they wish. This opens the possibility of cross-voting, where MPs may go against the party line.
The election is conducted by the Election Commission. MPs are required to mark their preference on the ballot paper using a specially provided pen. Any mistake, wrong marking, or use of a different pen can make the vote invalid. After marking, MPs must fold the ballot paper in a prescribed manner before dropping it into the box. To avoid invalid votes, NDA has taken the step of training its MPs in advance, with mock sessions on how to vote correctly.
Why NDA is Focusing on 100% Voting
The NDA holds a clear numerical advantage, but its top brass is determined to leave nothing to chance. Out of 543 MPs in Lok Sabha (with one seat vacant) and 245 in Rajya Sabha (with five vacant), the NDA commands 293 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 129 in the Rajya Sabha, apart from support from nominated members. This gives them a tally of 422 MPs, well above the majority mark of 391 votes required.
However, the fear lies in two areas cross-voting and invalid ballots. In the last Vice Presidential election in 2022, NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar secured a comfortable victory with 528 votes, while Opposition candidate Margaret Alva got only 182 votes, and 56 MPs abstained. This time, NDA wants to ensure its candidate, CP Radhakrishnan, maintains a decisive edge. By training MPs and stressing discipline, NDA hopes to avoid the embarrassment of wasted votes.
The Candidates: CP Radhakrishnan vs Justice Reddy
The Vice Presidential election was necessitated by the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, though his term was supposed to run until August 2027. NDA has fielded Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate. A seasoned BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan is seen as a loyal party veteran with strong organizational skills.
He faces retired Supreme Court judge B. Sudarshan Reddy, put forward by the Opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A. Justice Reddy, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, has a strong legal background and is being projected as a symbol of regional representation. The Opposition hopes to rally support by appealing to southern regional parties, though their combined numbers fall short of what NDA already has in hand.
Numbers Game and Political Equations
The NDA is not just relying on its internal strength it is also reaching out to regional allies. Already, 11 MPs of Andhra Pradesh’s YSR Congress Party have declared support for the NDA candidate. The BJP is also courting Odisha’s BJD and Telangana’s BRS, both of whom are yet to announce their stance. On the other hand, the Opposition is urging these parties to back Justice Reddy on grounds of regional balance.
Given the numbers, the outcome heavily favors NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan. Still, the secrecy of the ballot injects unpredictability. This is why Modi and BJP leadership are focusing on “100% turnout, 0% error.” To reinforce unity, Prime Minister Modi will host a dinner for all NDA MPs on September 8, just a day before voting, in what is seen as a morale booster and last-minute strategy meet.
Secret Ballot, Open Stakes
The Vice Presidential election may look like a numbers game, but it is also about discipline and unity. With the whip not applicable, every MP’s ballot becomes unpredictable. NDA’s decision to train MPs on the exact mechanics of voting underscores its resolve to avoid slip-ups. With CP Radhakrishnan enjoying clear numerical backing and the Opposition pitching Justice Reddy as a symbolic candidate, the election outcome seems tilted in NDA’s favor. Yet, the suspense of the secret ballot ensures that the contest remains politically significant.