Vice President Election 2025: NDA vs INDIA Alliance

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Introduction Background of a historic Vice President Election 2025

The election for the post of Vice President of India to be held on 9 September 2025 is an important event in Indian democracy. Also, this election is not only for the second highest constitutional post in the country. But it has also become a means of testing the strength of the current political alliances. But both the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition alliance of India (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) have fielded their candidates for this election. C. P. Radhakrishnan (current Governor of Maharashtra and senior BJP leader) is contesting from the NDA and former Supreme Court Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy is contesting from the India Alliance. Also in this article we will present an in-depth analysis of the preparations being made by these two alliances to train their MPs in the voting process.

Constitutional framework and historical perspective of the post of Vice President in India

Article 66 of the Constitution of India mentions the process of election of the Vice President. The election of the Vice President is done by the electoral college consisting of members of both the houses of Parliament by single transferable vote according to the proportional representation system and voting in such election is secret. The electoral college for electing a person for the post of Vice President consists of members of both the houses of Parliament. Also, any person who holds any office of profit under the Government of India or any state government or under any subordinate local authority is also not eligible for it.

Also, the historical background is that the post of Vice President was established in India in 1950 with the implementation of the Constitution. And the first Vice President of the country was Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Who later also became the President. The Vice President is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Therefore, this post has an important place in the parliamentary process. In the Vice President elections held so far, most of the times the candidates have been selected unanimously or by consensus. But on some occasions, there has also been an electoral contest for this post.

Status of political alliances

NDA has a numerical majority in the current Parliament. But according to the data, NDA has the support of 439 MPs. Out of which India Alliance has 324 MPs. The remaining 19 MPs are from other parties or are independents. These include 7 MPs of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), 4 MPs of BRS, one each of Akali Dal, ZPM and VoTP and three independent MPs. Who have not yet clarified their preference. Today we are talking about NDA candidate C. P. Radhakrishnan: Senior BJP leader and current Governor of Maharashtra. And he has previously been an MP from Tamil Nadu and has also held the post of Union Minister. Also, India Alliance candidate Justice (Retd.) B. Sudarshan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge, who has been nominated as a joint candidate by the opposition alliance.

Complexity of voting process of Vice President Election 2025

The voting process in the Vice Presidential election is quite different and complex from the general elections. Also, the single transferable vote method is adopted under the proportional representation system. And in this system, voters (MPs) mark their preferences. Also, it is necessary to achieve a certain quota to win. Also, if a candidate is not able to achieve the quota in the first counting, then the candidate with the least votes is eliminated and his votes are distributed according to the second preference of the voters. This process continues until one candidate achieves the quota. Also, the party strategic requirements which are necessary for both the alliances are that all their MPs understand the voting process correctly and fill their ballot paper correctly. Even a single mistake can make the ballot paper invalid.

Format and content of training

In this workshop, the MPs were made aware of the voting process of the Vice Presidential election. Also, the following points were mainly focused on. Also, the ballot paper design and method of filling which the MPs were made aware of the ballot paper design and the method of filling it correctly. And they were told that the votes should be recorded in the international form of Indian numerals or in Roman form or in any Indian language, but should not be shown in words.

And understanding the order of preference But the MPs were told that they should record the number 1 in the space provided against the name of the candidate they select as their first preference on their ballot paper and in addition they can record as many subsequent preferences by recording the numbers 2, 3, 4 etc. in the space provided against the names of other candidates on their ballot paper. and counting process But the MPs were also made aware of the complex process of counting so that they can understand how their vote will be used.

GST Reform Proposal on Vice President Election 2025

The workshop not only discussed the electoral process but the BJP also used the occasion to pass a resolution on GST reforms. The resolution said that GST reforms inspired by the vision of the Prime Minister have simplified the system and put the citizen at the centre. But the resolution also said that It was mentioned that the rates on essential commodities like food and medicines have been reduced significantly and distortions like inverted duty are being corrected. Also strategic management that in view of the flood situation in many states of the country, the NDA canceled the dinner program organized for its MPs. But this was intended to give the message that the alliance is sensitive to the problems of the country and does not want to divert the attention of the public by engaging in flashy events.

Organizing Mock Voting Session Vice President Election 2025

India Alliance decided to organize a mock voting session for its MPs in the Central Hall Samvidhan Sadan on 8 September 2025. Also the purpose of this session is to make the MPs practically aware of the voting process. And Congress President Mallikarjun Kharje announced this and said that through this training session all the opposition MPs will be able to understand the voting process correctly.

Also the cancellation of the dinner program which Mallikarjun Kharje had originally planned to organize a dinner in honor of the opposition MPs but in view of the flood situation in Punjab and various parts of the country, he canceled this program. Kharje in his message to the MPs said that in view of the devastation and suffering caused by the floods, expressing sympathy with the affected people, after due consideration it has been decided to cancel the dinner planned in honour of our candidate Justice B Sudarshan Reddy.

Challenges and opportunities

The main challenge before the India Alliance is the numerical majority of the NDA. But they are expecting the support of MPs of some regional parties who are yet to declare their support to anyone. Apart from this, the opposition alliance is also expecting the possibility of cross-voting by some MPs in the secret ballot process. Also, the ballot paper design and voting order which is the ballot paper for the Vice President election contains the names of all the candidates. Each MP has to mark his preferences (1, 2, 3, …) against the names of the candidates. The voter has as many preferences as there are candidates. In casting his vote, the voter is required to record the digit 1 in the space provided against the name of the candidate on his ballot paper whom he selects as his first preference.

Political dynamics of the election and possibilities of cross-voting

Parties like Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and BSR have not yet clarified their stance in the election. Also, according to sources, these parties may abstain from voting so that they can maintain equal distance from both NDA and India Alliance. On the other hand, YSRCP has already announced support to the NDA candidate. Also, there is a possibility of cross-voting, which is always a possibility in the secret ballot process. Despite the advantage on paper of 439-324, NDA is worried that some of its MPs may vote for the opposition candidate. Similarly, India Alliance hopes that they may benefit from cross-voting of some NDA MPs.

Conclusion Anticipation of a historic election

The Vice Presidential election to be held on 9 September 2025 is an important event in Indian democracy. Both NDA and India Alliance have made comprehensive preparations to train their MPs in the voting process. But NDA’s two-day online Parliament workshop and India Alliance’s mock voting session are proof that both the alliances are taking this election seriously. Also, due to the complexity of the voting process and the nature of secret ballot, it is necessary for both the alliances to prepare their MPs thoroughly. But even a single invalid ballot can affect the result of the election. Also, the possibility of cross-voting has added an element of uncertainty to this election. Also, in view of the flood situation in many parts of the country, both the alliances have cancelled their dinner programs, which shows their public sensitivity.