Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan is NDA’s vice-presidential election candidate and former SC judge Sudershan Reddy is the opposition bloc’s nominee.
New Delhi, Sep 8: The stage is set for the election of India’s 15th Vice President on Tuesday, September 9, as members of Parliament prepare to vote in what is expected to be a closely watched contest.
The election comes two months after the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, and will see NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan face off against INDIA bloc’s nominee, B Sudershan Reddy.
Who Are the Candidates?
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CP Radhakrishnan: A senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Governor, Radhakrishnan has previously served as Governor of Jharkhand and as a two-time MP from Coimbatore during the Vajpayee era.
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B Sudershan Reddy: A former Supreme Court judge, Reddy is known for landmark rulings, including the judgment declaring Salwa Judum unconstitutional. He was also Goa’s first Lokayukta but resigned after seven months.
When and Where is the Election?
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Date: Tuesday, September 9
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Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
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Venue: Room No. F-101, Vasudha, Parliament House
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Result Announcement: Same evening after voting concludes
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Returning Officer: Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody
Who Votes in the Vice Presidential Election?
The electoral college consists of:
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543 elected MPs from Lok Sabha
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233 elected MPs + 12 nominated MPs from Rajya Sabha
🔹 Total eligible voters: 781 (due to 7 current vacancies)
🔹 Victory mark: 391 votes
Expected Voter Line-Up
NDA Supporters (CP Radhakrishnan)
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BJP
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JD(U)
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TDP
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Shiv Sena (Shinde faction)
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NCP (Ajit Pawar faction)
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Others
INDIA Bloc Supporters (Sudershan Reddy)
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Congress
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DMK
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TMC
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RJD
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JMM
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Left parties
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Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena
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AAP
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AIMIM
Abstaining Parties
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Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS)
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Biju Janata Dal (BJD)
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Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)
What Do the Numbers Say?
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BJP: 293 MPs in Lok Sabha + 129 in Rajya Sabha
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Total NDA Support: Around 422 MPs
Well above the majority mark of 391
Despite opposition efforts, CP Radhakrishnan is widely expected to win due to NDA’s numerical advantage in both houses.
Perks and Salary of the Vice President
Though the Vice President does not receive a separate salary, the post of Rajya Sabha Chairman, which the VP holds ex officio, includes:
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Monthly salary: ₹4 lakh
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Free official residence
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Medical facilities
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Free train and air travel
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Personal staff and security
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Communication and administrative allowances
Modi to Cast First Vote
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to be the first MP to cast his vote, along with parliamentarians from Punjab and Haryana, according to PTI sources.
Conclusion: A Contest With a Predictable Outcome?
While the INDIA bloc hopes to put up a strong symbolic fight, all signs point toward a comfortable victory for NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan.
The result will be declared Tuesday evening, deciding who will occupy the second-highest constitutional post in India for the next five years.
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