New Delhi, September 9 — Voting is underway for the Vice Presidential election 2025, with a direct contest between NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan and INDIA bloc candidate B Sudershan Reddy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to cast his vote this morning at the new Parliament building.
Polling began at 10 AM and will continue until 5 PM, with results expected by 6 PM. The election comes nearly two months after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice President on July 21, citing health concerns.
LIVE Updates at a Glance
Voting Underway
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Polling began at 10 AM in Room F-101 of the new Parliament building.
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PM Narendra Modi cast the first vote.
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Polling will continue until 5 PM.
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Counting starts at 6 PM; results expected later tonight.
The Candidates
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CP Radhakrishnan (NDA): Maharashtra Governor, OBC leader from Tamil Nadu, RSS veteran.
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B Sudershan Reddy (INDIA bloc): Former Supreme Court judge, known for key rulings including against Salwa Judum and on black money.
Numbers Game
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Electoral College strength: 781 MPs (543 Lok Sabha + 233 Rajya Sabha elected + 12 nominated Rajya Sabha members)
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Majority mark: 391 votes
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NDA support: ~425 MPs
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INDIA bloc support: ~324 MPs
Who’s Voting for Whom?
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YSRCP (11 MPs): Supports NDA candidate Radhakrishnan
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AIMIM: Asaduddin Owaisi backs INDIA bloc candidate Reddy
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BJD, BRS: Abstaining
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Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD): Boycotting the vote over flood relief issues in Punjab
Independent MPs and Bloc-Neutrals
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39 MPs are not aligned with either NDA or INDIA bloc
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Kiren Rijiju: “Most of them will support Radhakrishnan”
Strict Voting Guidelines in Place
On Monday, both NDA and INDIA bloc leaders held strategy meetings with their MPs to avoid errors:
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Mock polls were conducted to instruct MPs on the correct voting procedure.
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Opposition MPs were reminded not to mark a second preference on the ballot, as any deviation can render the vote invalid.
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Voting is by secret ballot; party whips do not apply.
Know the Candidates in Detail
CP Radhakrishnan (NDA)
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Age: 68
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Background: BJP leader from Tamil Nadu; served as MP (1998, 1999)
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Current role: Governor of Maharashtra since July 2024
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Reputation: Soft-spoken, disciplined, grounded in RSS ideology
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Community: OBC (Goundar/Kongu Vellalar)
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Campaigning: Held meetings with MPs across party lines to consolidate support
B Sudershan Reddy (INDIA Bloc)
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Age: 79
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Background: Former Supreme Court judge (2007–2011)
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Noted rulings: Declared Salwa Judum unconstitutional; called out Centre on black money
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Political activity: Met INDIA bloc leaders; drew flak for meeting RJD’s Lalu Prasad
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Stance: Advocates constitutional values and judicial independence
What Happens Next?
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5:00 PM: Voting ends
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6:00 PM onwards: Counting of votes begins
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By late evening: Results expected
Why This Matters
This election determines who will become the Vice President of India and ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the second-highest constitutional post in the country.
Given the NDA’s numerical advantage, CP Radhakrishnan is widely expected to win — but the opposition is looking to send a message of unity and resilience ahead of the 2026 general elections.
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