NEW DELHI: The stage is set for the vice-presidential election on Tuesday, with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee and Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan holding a commanding lead against opposition INDIA bloc candidate and former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy.The poll was triggered by Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation on July 21.With BJP-led NDA commanding approximately 427 votes in the 781-member electoral college – well above the required majority of 391 – Radhakrishnan is poised for a decisive victory. Support from non-INDIA bloc parties, such as YSR Congress Party (11 MPs), further strengthens NDA’s position, while Biju Janata Dal (7 MPs) and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (4 MPs) have confirmed they will abstain from voting.Polling will take place in Parliament House from 10am to 5pm and counting of votes will begin at 6pm. The result is expected late evening.Unlike other votes where MPs have to follow the party ‘whip’, election for VP is by secret ballot, and members are not obliged to follow directives. In practice, however, few can stray, and that should ensure, barring the unlikely prospect of large scale cross-voting, a comfortable win for NDA’s nominee. On the poll’s eve, both the NDA and the Congress-headed opposition held separate meetings with their MPs to explain the election process and conducted mock polls to ensure preparedness. MPs will receive ballot papers listing the two candidates’ names and must mark their preference by writing the numeral “1” opposite their chosen candidate. According to election rules, “The figures may be marked in the international form of Indian numerals, in Roman numerals, or in any Indian language’s numeral form, but shall not be indicated in words.” This ensures clarity and uniformity in the voting process.The electoral college for the VP election comprises 781 members – 542 from Lok Sabha and 239 from Rajya Sabha. The majority mark to elect VP is 391. NDA’s 427 MPs significantly outnumber the opposition’s 354, giving Radhakrishnan a clear advantage. The seven nominated MPs, who have not joined any party, could invariably go with the governing allianceRadhakrishnan, 67, a BJP veteran from Tamil Nadu, brings extensive political and administrative experience to the race. In contrast, Reddy, 79, from Telangana, is renowned for landmark judgments, including the 2011 ruling that declared Salwa Judum – a group of trained tribal youth deployed as special police officers to combat Naxalites – illegal and unconstitutional.Reddy’s Salwa Judum verdict became a focal point in the campaign, with home minister Amit Shah arguing it hindered efforts to counter Maoism in Chhattisgarh. The opposition has framed the election as an ideological battle, despite the governing alliance’s numerical dominance.NDA has highlighted Radhakrishnan’s unblemished record and leadership experience, emphasising his suitability for the VP’s role and as RS chairperson. On Monday, it raised the issue of Reddy meeting RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav who has been convicted in three corruption cases and is facing trial in others.
