With the vice presidential election scheduled for September 9, political circles are abuzz with speculation after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) named CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate. Despite enjoying a clear majority in Parliament, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s outreach to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has raised questions about whether the BJP is seeking consensus, or playing a deeper political game.
NDA Fields CP Radhakrishnan
The NDA officially nominated CP Radhakrishnan during a BJP parliamentary board meeting on August 17. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has been appointed as poll agent, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will oversee the election process. With these moves, the ruling alliance appears firmly positioned to secure victory.
The Numbers Game in Parliament
Parliament currently has 782 members — 542 in the Lok Sabha and 240 in the Rajya Sabha. A simple majority requires 392 votes. The NDA commands 427 MPs (293 in the Lok Sabha and 134 in the Rajya Sabha), already above the threshold. The opposition bloc collectively holds 355 seats, while around 133 MPs remain undecided, leaving some room for political maneuvering.
Why Reach Out to Congress?
Even with the numbers in its favour, the BJP’s outreach to the Congress has sparked intrigue. Analysts suggest the NDA may be seeking to project unity and avoid a contest, potentially making this election a rare unopposed affair. Since Independence, four vice presidential elections have been uncontested — Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in 1952 and 1957, and Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah in 1979 being notable examples. BJP may be aiming for a similar historic milestone.
Opposition Yet to Reveal Strategy
The opposition, including the INDIA bloc, has so far kept its cards close to the chest. Whether the Congress extends support or pushes for a ballot remains uncertain. The outcome could either turn into a display of political harmony or escalate into a tense face-off, depending on how the opposition responds in the coming days.
Beyond Arithmetic: The Politics of Consensus
While the NDA has a comfortable numerical edge, the push for Congress support highlights how Indian democracy often transcends simple arithmetic. This election could either reaffirm BJP’s dominance through consensus or expose the fragile balance of power that continues to define parliamentary politics.