NDA Confident of Victory as Vice-Presidential Election Begins; BJD, BRS, SAD to Abstain

New Delhi, Sept 2025 – Voting for the high-stakes Vice-Presidential election began on Tuesday, with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) expressing strong confidence in the victory of its nominee, C.P. Radhakrishnan. He faces opposition from the INDIA bloc candidate, former Supreme Court judge B. Sudarshan Reddy, in what is being seen as a crucial contest for the Rajya Sabha’s leadership.

The election was necessitated after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned in July, citing health reasons, leaving the post vacant. The Vice President serves as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, making the result critical for the functioning of Parliament.

Final Preparations and Confidence in NDA Camp

On the eve of polling, senior BJP leaders and Members of Parliament converged at residences of key ministers for last-minute strategy sessions. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat met with Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, while visuals showed prominent MPs including Ravi Kishan, Ashok Chavan, and Ujjwal Nikam arriving for discussions.

Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni voiced optimism, saying, “C.P. Radhakrishnan serves as a governor; we want him to win, and definitely, the NDA candidate will win. The NDA’s entire planning is complete, and our victory is certain.”

Similar views were echoed by BJP MP Bhagwat Karad, who remarked, “In today’s Vice-Presidential election, NDA has the majority.” Rambhai Mokariya, Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, went further, declaring Radhakrishnan’s win “100 per cent certain.” He said Gujarat and Goa MPs would vote together around 10 a.m., adding, “Radhakrishnan is from the Sangh, and he will be perfect for the nation’s betterment.”

Union MoS Jayant Chaudhary also asserted, “We are very confident, and the victory will be significant.” BJP MP Kali Charan Singh echoed the same sentiment, noting, “The NDA alliance candidate is winning.”

The Numbers Game

The Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising 781 MPs from both Houses of Parliament — 542 from the Lok Sabha and 239 from the Rajya Sabha. The winning candidate must secure at least 391 votes to claim victory.

With the NDA’s numerical strength in both Houses, political observers expect Radhakrishnan to secure a comfortable win. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to cast the first vote. Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Ram Mohan Naidu, and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde have been appointed official election agents.

However, the Opposition INDIA bloc hopes for some cross-voting to keep the contest competitive, pointing to past elections where surprise results emerged despite apparent numerical advantages.

Abstentions by Three Parties

Three regional parties have opted to abstain from the election, further tilting the arithmetic in favour of the NDA.

• Biju Janata Dal (BJD): The Naveen Patnaik-led party announced on Monday that it would abstain, maintaining its long-held policy of keeping “equidistant” from both the BJP and Congress. Senior BJD leader Sasmit Patra explained, “Our focus is solely on the development and welfare of Odisha’s 4.5 crore people.” The party, which failed to win any Lok Sabha seats in 2024, currently holds seven Rajya Sabha seats.
• Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS): Party working president K.T. Rama Rao said BRS would not participate, citing farmer grievances in Telangana, especially the shortage of urea. The party has four Rajya Sabha MPs and no Lok Sabha representation.
• Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD): The Punjab-based party also opted out, pointing to the state’s flood crisis as the reason. Its lone MP, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, won from Bathinda in the 2024 general election.

These abstentions are unlikely to affect the outcome, but they reinforce the perception that the NDA has secured an easy path to victory.

Contest and Significance

The direct contest between Radhakrishnan and Reddy is being closely monitored, with analysts framing it as a test of coalition discipline and political alignments ahead of future elections. While the NDA appears dominant, the Opposition insists that the election remains a symbolic fight to highlight unity within the INDIA bloc.

All votes carry equal value, and the election is conducted by secret ballot under established parliamentary procedures. Counting will begin immediately after polling concludes, and results are expected by evening.

The Vice-Presidential election, though not as politically charged as the Presidential polls, remains crucial for parliamentary functioning. With the Vice President presiding over the Rajya Sabha, the role often becomes central during heated legislative sessions and in managing the delicate balance between the ruling and opposition parties.

Outlook

Political observers believe today’s election will solidify NDA’s influence in Parliament while also providing insights into cross-party dynamics. While the NDA is poised for a decisive win, the Opposition’s ability to demonstrate unity — even in defeat — will shape its narrative ahead of upcoming political battles.

As one senior analyst noted, “The NDA has the numbers, but what everyone is watching is whether the INDIA bloc can prevent further erosion of its ranks. Symbolism and discipline matter as much as the numbers in this contest.”

By tonight, the outcome will be clear — and with it, the political tone for the sessions ahead.