🗳️ Radhakrishnan vs Reddy: Big Battle for VP Post Begins – Who'll Win the Power Seat?
- MediaFx
- Sep 9
- 3 min read
TL;DRIndia's Vice-President election is happening today, and it's a tense face-off between NDA’s C.P. Radhakrishnan and INDIA bloc’s Justice B. Sudershan Reddy. NDA has the upper hand in numbers, but with a secret ballot system in play, surprises are possible. Voting is on till 5 PM, and counting starts at 6 PM.
It’s D-Day in Delhi as MPs across India gather to elect the next Vice-President of India — the second-highest constitutional post after the President. This sudden election was triggered by the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar in July due to health issues.
Now, two heavyweights are in the ring — C.P. Radhakrishnan, NDA’s candidate and current Governor of Maharashtra, and Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, INDIA bloc’s pick and a former Supreme Court judge from Telangana. It's more than just a formality — it's a high-stakes battle for political influence.
The Numbers Game 🧮
Let’s break down the numbers:
NDA support: ~427 MPs
INDIA bloc: ~354 MPs
Majority needed: 391 votes
Clearly, NDA has the edge here. They’ve got the numbers to win without much stress. But remember — this is a secret ballot election using the single transferable vote system, which means there's always a small chance of things going off-script.
How the Voting Works
Voting started at 10 AM and will end at 5 PM. The process is being carried out via a single transferable vote, where MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha participate. The results will be announced soon after, with counting beginning at 6 PM.
Since it’s a secret vote, there’s no whip — MPs are free to vote how they want. This makes things slightly unpredictable, though NDA is expected to win comfortably.
INDIA Bloc’s Precautions
Worried about their MPs accidentally messing up ballots, the INDIA bloc held a mock voting session using dummy ballot papers. They don’t want a repeat of previous elections where invalid votes led to surprises. It's a smart precaution, but it also shows the pressure they’re under.
Who’s Sitting This One Out?
Interestingly, a few major parties are abstaining from the vote:
BRS (Telangana)
BJD (Odisha)
Shiromani Akali Dal
Their non-participation won’t drastically affect the outcome, but it shows how regional players are stepping back from both major coalitions.
Why This Election Matters
This isn’t just about who becomes Vice-President. It’s a symbol of parliamentary strength for each bloc. If NDA wins easily, it further cements their hold over both the legislative houses and the constitutional machinery.
On the other hand, if INDIA bloc somehow pulls off a better-than-expected performance, it could send a message ahead of the 2026 general elections.
MediaFx Opinion — From the People’s Lens
While the top political players are busy playing chess in Parliament, ordinary people — students, farmers, workers — are still stuck with daily struggles. Inflation is rising, unemployment is high, and education is still out of reach for many.
Unfortunately, neither side is making the Vice-President election about these issues. It’s all about power, not public welfare. We need leaders who’ll talk about real problems — not just numbers in Parliament.
Elections like this remind us how little voice the public has in key decisions. Real change will only come when politics shifts from party games to people-first policies.
