Vice-Presidential Elections Set for Tuesday as NDA’s Radhakrishnan Leads

The vice-presidential elections in India are scheduled for Tuesday, with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee, C.P. Radhakrishnan, facing off against the Opposition’s candidate, Justice P. Sudershan Reddy (retd). The election comes amid a backdrop of significant political maneuvering, as parties such as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) have opted to abstain from voting, positioning the NDA for a likely victory.

Voting will take place at Parliament House in New Delhi between 10:00 and 17:00 IST on Tuesday. Members of both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha will participate, casting their votes in a secret ballot. The counting of votes will commence at 18:00 IST, with results expected by late evening. A total of 788 members form the electoral college, including 543 from the Lok Sabha and 245 from the Rajya Sabha, although the present strength is reduced to 781 due to vacant seats.

As the NDA holds a strong majority with 425 MPs, the Opposition, backed by 324 MPs, faces an uphill battle. Notably, the YSRC, which has 11 members in Parliament, has pledged support for Radhakrishnan, further solidifying the NDA’s position. The majority mark required for victory stands at 391.

Candidates’ Profiles and Political Implications

C.P. Radhakrishnan, a veteran member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Tamil Nadu and former Governor of Maharashtra, is being promoted as an experienced and untainted leader. The NDA emphasizes his political and administrative background as assets for the role of Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

In contrast, Justice Reddy, aged 79, is a former Supreme Court judge known for landmark rulings, including the controversial decision declaring the Salwa Judum militia unconstitutional. Reddy’s judicial history has garnered both support and criticism, particularly from the ruling party, which has underscored his past judgments as indicative of a bias towards Naxal sympathies.

The BJP has launched attacks on Reddy’s campaign strategies, specifically criticizing his meeting with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president, Lalu Prasad Yadav, who has a history of corruption convictions. BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad condemned Reddy’s actions, labeling them as hypocritical, given Yadav’s legal troubles.

Prasad remarked, “What kind of a retired Supreme Court judge are you? Lalu Prasad Yadav is not even a voter in the election. Please don’t talk of saving souls… This is hypocrisy in the extreme.” The BJP’s statements reflect an attempt to sway public perception by framing Reddy’s campaign as lacking integrity.

Political Meetings and Election Dynamics

On the eve of the elections, both the NDA and the Congress-led Opposition convened separate meetings with their respective MPs to discuss the voting process. These sessions aimed to ensure clarity and preparedness among members as they approach the polls.

The political landscape ahead of the election has been described by the Opposition as an ideological battle. Despite the apparent numerical advantage for the NDA, Reddy’s supporters argue that the election represents a crucial moment for the values and principles of democracy in India.

With the voting set to unfold, the outcome will not only determine the next Vice President but will also reflect the current political dynamics within the Indian Parliament. As the day progresses, all eyes will be on the electoral college as they cast their votes, marking a significant moment in India’s political history.