Days after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on Saturday that it is almost certain that the next Vice President will be a nominee of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) due to the NDA’s majority in Parliament.
“All we know is that it will be somebody whom the ruling party nominates, as we already know the composition of the electorate. Unlike the Presidential election, where the state assemblies also vote, for the Vice President it’s only the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. So we already know the majority,” said Tharoor.
He added, “We hope they consult the Opposition too, but who knows.”
The Election Commission has announced September 9 as the polling date for the Vice Presidential election.
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Notification issue date: August 7
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Last date for filing nominations: August 21
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Results will be declared the same day as polling: September 9
The Vice President is elected by an Electoral College comprising elected and nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and elected members of the Lok Sabha. With a combined strength of 782 members, a candidate needs 391 votes to win.
Currently, the NDA commands 422 votes (293 in Lok Sabha and 129 in Rajya Sabha), giving it a clear advantage.
Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, citing health reasons, nearly two years before his term was due to end in August 2027. Sources have suggested possible tensions with the Centre as another factor.
