Unity on the Eve of Vice Presidential Elections

Strategic Insights -

Leaders of both the ruling NDA and opposition parties held meetings on the eve of the vice presidential elections, showcasing a rare display of unity. The meetings briefed MPs on the election process, and members participated in a mock poll. The vice presidential poll is set to take place on Tuesday, with the NDA's CP Radhakrishnan and joint opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy contesting for the top spot.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NDA has a clear edge in the poll, with 425 MPs supporting their nominee, while the opposition has the backing of 324 MPs.
  • The electoral college for the vice presidential election comprises 788 members, including 245 from the Rajya Sabha and 543 from the Lok Sabha.
  • Members of both Houses of Parliament will cast their votes in the Parliament House between 10 am and 5 pm on Tuesday, with counting of votes to begin at 6 pm.
  • The opposition has described the vice presidential poll as an "ideological battle," despite the numbers being stacked in favour of the NDA.
  • The BJP-led alliance has a clear advantage in the election, which is necessitated by the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21.
  • Former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy is the joint opposition candidate, while CP Radhakrishnan, a veteran BJP leader, is the NDA nominee.
  • The meeting in the central hall of Samvidhan Sadan (Old Parliament Building) was attended by top leaders of various parties, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Parliamentary Party leader Sonia Gandhi.
  • The YSRCP, with 11 members in Parliament, has decided to support the NDA nominee, while the BRS and the BJD have decided to abstain from voting in the election.

Statistics:

  • The electoral college for the vice presidential election comprises 788 members.
  • The 12 nominated members of the Rajya Sabha are also eligible to vote in the election.
  • The present strength of the electoral college is 781, with six seats vacant in the Rajya Sabha and one in the Lok Sabha.
  • The majority mark for the election is at 391.
  • The NDA has 425 MPs supporting their nominee, while the opposition has the backing of 324 MPs.
  • The election process will be completed between 10 am and 6 pm on Tuesday, with counting to be done at 6 pm.

Sources:

  • Pioneer (with permission from HT Digital Content Services)