The stage is set for a fiercely contested Vice-Presidential election in India, following the abrupt resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, 2025. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-led INDIA bloc have announced their candidates, signaling an ideological showdown with far-reaching implications for Indian politics. While the NDA holds a numerical edge, the contest is poised to test the BJP’s internal cohesion, the influence of its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the Opposition’s ability to rally around a unified social justice narrative.
Candidates & Their Significance
The NDA has fielded C.P. Radhakrishnan, a veteran RSS activist from Tamil Nadu and the current Governor of Maharashtra. A two-term Member of Parliament (1998–2004), Radhakrishnan’s candidacy underscores the BJP’s deepening ties with the RSS, marking a deliberate pivot toward a staunch Hindutva loyalist. Unlike Dhankhar, a late entrant to the Sangh Parivar who struggled to align with its ethos, Radhakrishnan’s lifelong commitment to Hindutva strengthens the BJP’s ideological moorings. His nomination also carries strategic weight in Tamil Nadu, where the BJP hopes to gain traction ahead of the state’s Assembly elections.
The INDIA bloc, in contrast, has nominated B. Sudershan Reddy, a retired Supreme Court judge from undivided Andhra Pradesh. Reddy, who recently led the 11-member expert group analyzing Telangana’s 2024 Socio, Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) Survey, represents the Opposition’s push for social justice and resistance to the BJP’s Hindutva agenda. His candidacy has sparked regionalist sentiments in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, countering the NDA’s efforts to put the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on the defensive in Tamil Nadu.
Political Dynamics
With the NDA holding a majority in the electoral college—comprising 782 members from both Houses of Parliament (543 elected Lok Sabha members, 233 elected and 12 nominated Rajya Sabha members, with six vacancies)—the outcome appears predictable. The coalition is aggressively canvassing support from unattached parties like the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). In a significant coup, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), a bitter rival of the NDA’s ally, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), has pledged its support to Radhakrishnan, bolstering the NDA’s position.
The INDIA bloc, however, sees this election as a platform to consolidate its narrative of social equity and opposition to the Sangh Parivar’s ideology. Reddy’s candidacy has galvanized regional sentiments, particularly in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where the Opposition aims to challenge the BJP’s growing influence. By fielding a figure associated with social justice, the Congress-led alliance hopes to rally its base and project unity ahead of future electoral battles.
Election Schedule and Process
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the 17th Vice-Presidential Election, to be held on September 9, 2025. Key dates include:
August 7: Issuance of formal election notice.
August 21: Deadline for filing nominations.
August 22: Scrutiny of nomination papers.
August 25: Last date for withdrawal of candidature.
September 9: Polling and counting of votes.
The election will follow the single transferable vote system, conducted via secret ballot, with each MP’s vote carrying equal weight. The ECI has mandated the use of a designated pen to ensure ballot integrity, with any deviation potentially invalidating a vote.
A Test of Ideological Resolve
While the Vice-President’s role as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha is constitutionally significant, this election transcends procedural formalities. For the BJP, Radhakrishnan’s candidacy signals the RSS’s growing influence and the party’s commitment to leveraging state power to advance Hindutva. Despite occasional personality clashes within the Sangh Parivar, shared ideological convictions continue to bind the coalition, as evidenced by the YSRCP’s surprising support.
For the Opposition, Reddy’s nomination is a bold assertion of resistance to the BJP’s dominance. By aligning their campaign with social justice themes, the INDIA bloc aims to galvanize its supporters and lay the groundwork for future contests, including the 2027 Presidential election.
Implications for Political Landscape
This Vice-Presidential election is a litmus test for the BJP’s internal dynamics and the RSS’s role in shaping its leadership. It also offers a glimpse into the potential contenders for the Presidency in 2027. As political maneuvering intensifies, the contest will quietly but decisively influence the leadership narrative in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term.
With regional rivalries, ideological battles, and strategic alliances at play, the September 9 election promises to be a pivotal moment in India’s political trajectory, setting the tone for the ideological and electoral battles to come.
