After the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, a new race has started on the second largest constitutional post in the country. President Draupadi Murmu has accepted his resignation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted him. But the real politics now begins. According to Article 68 of the Constitution, it is mandatory for the Vice President to be held within six months i.e. by September 2025. Since Bihar assembly elections are also in the same period, this election is not just a constitutional process, but also from the perspective of electoral strategy. In the last decade, the BJP government has decided the appointments of major constitutional posts in view of the upcoming elections and this opportunity does not seem exception.
Majority in Parliament, but also required of allies
Out of the total 786 members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, 394 votes are required to win. BJP -led NDA is currently in a total of 405 votes with 293 MPs in Lok Sabha and 112 MPs in Rajya Sabha. That is, according to the data, the NDA has a clear majority, but the role of allies in it will be decisive. It is necessary to support parties like JDU, TDP and Shiv Sena.
Focus on Bihar, who will be the major faces?
Keeping in mind the Bihar assembly elections, Harivansh Narayan Singh is at the top of the names discussed for the post of Vice President. He comes from JDU along with being Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha and is considered reliable of Prime Minister Modi. He also has experience of Rajya Sabha operations. Ramnath Thakur’s name is also under discussion, who is the son of Karpoori Thakur, but recently his father has got Bharat Ratna, which reduces the possibility that the BJP repeatedly promoted the same family. Nitish Kumar’s name is also in the discussions, but his health status and nature is not considered to be favorable for the responsibilities of the post of Vice President.
Will the BJP carry forward a big face?
J.P. in BJP’s internal politics Names like Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman, Nitin Gadkari, Manoj Sinha and Vasundhara Raje are discussed, but none of these names look like that can balance all political equations. J.P. Nadda’s term ends in March 2025 and his proximity to Shah-Modi makes him a strong contender. Manoj Sinha’s name has also emerged rapidly but caste equations do not appear in his favor.
The opposition has a low number, but what will be their bets?
The opposition India block has only 150 votes, which has very low expectations. However, the name of Shashi Tharoor, who is considered dissatisfied with the Congress, is also in the discussion as a ‘common candidate’. The BJP may want the Congress to be broken from inside by bringing a face like Tharoor. But this possibility also seems very low in terms of political credibility and party control.
Disclaimer: Potential names for the post of Vice President are based on political discussions and media reports. ABP does not claim them.
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