PM Narendra Modi and others (agencies)
NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Parliamentary Board is set to convene on Sunday at the party headquarters in New Delhi to finalize the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election, scheduled for September 9. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will include key leaders such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP President J.P. Nadda, among others. The NDA has authorized Modi and Nadda to select the candidate for this critical constitutional post, with the decision expected to be endorsed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).The urgency to select a candidate follows the abrupt resignation of former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons, though speculations of political differences had surfaced. Sources indicate that the BJP is keen on choosing a candidate deeply rooted in the BJP-RSS ecosystem, with names like Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, Sikkim Governor Om Mathur, and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha being considered. Devvrat, a Jat community member, is a strong contender to appease the community, while Gehlot’s selection could bolster the BJP’s outreach to backward caste voters. The NDA, with its majority in the electoral college comprising Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, is poised for an easy victory if the election is contested. The opposition INDIA bloc may field a candidate, with discussions slated for August 18. Meanwhile, all NDA Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers have been summoned to Delhi on August 21 for the nomination filing, signaling a unified front. The decision on Sunday is expected to reflect strategic political calculations, balancing caste dynamics and RSS influence.
