Vice Presidential Election 2025: Beyond the Numbers
As C.P. Radhakrishnan and B. Sudarshan Reddy face off, India’s next Vice President will shape more than just parliamentary proceedings.
Harshita Rai
On September 9, the nation will watch closely as Members of Parliament cast their votes to elect India’s next Vice President. It may not be a direct election like the Lok Sabha polls, but make no mistake — this contest carries weight. The choice between NDA’s C.P. Radhakrishnan and the INDIA bloc’s B. Sudarshan Reddy is about more than two names. It is about where India’s politics, and Parliament itself, is headed.
On paper, the math is simple. NDA holds 439 MPs across both Houses — a clear majority over the INDIA bloc’s 327. The majority mark of 391 votes is well within the ruling coalition’s grasp. But parliamentary elections are rarely just about numbers. There is always room for cross-voting, surprises, and political messaging, as we saw in 2022 when Jagdeep Dhankhar’s margin swelled with support from unexpected quarters like YSRCP and BJD.
This time too, whispers of possible defections are making the rounds. Will MPs toe the party line, or will conscience — or calculation — guide their ballot?
Two Faces, Two Journeys
This election has a unique flavour. For the first time, both leading candidates come from the southern states. Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, has walked the corridors of power as Governor of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Telangana. His political journey spans Parliament and Raj Bhavans alike.
Across the aisle stands Sudarshan Reddy from Telangana — not a politician, but a former Supreme Court judge. Known for his integrity on the bench, Reddy also served as Gauhati High Court’s Chief Justice and later became Goa’s first Lokayukta. His candidature is symbolic, projecting INDIA bloc’s intent to field figures of credibility outside traditional politics.
It’s a fascinating contrast — a career politician vs. a jurist. One rooted in electoral politics, the other in constitutional interpretation.
Why It Matters
The Vice President isn’t just a ceremonial figure. As Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the role becomes critical in times of heated debates, stalled bills, and a noisy opposition. With INDIA bloc determined to challenge the government inside Parliament, the way proceedings are conducted could shape the legislative calendar of the coming years.
Adding to the drama is the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who stepped down citing health reasons. His mid-term exit — only the third such resignation in history — has left the post wide open at a politically sensitive moment.
What Lies Ahead
Yes, NDA holds the upper hand. But this election isn’t just about victory margins. For the INDIA bloc, even narrowing the gap will be presented as a moral win. For NDA, ensuring a comfortable majority is about reinforcing its dominance.
Whichever way the numbers fall, the next Vice President will carry the responsibility of being a bridge between government and opposition in an increasingly polarised Parliament.
And perhaps that is the real test of this election: India’s Vice President may change tomorrow, but the bigger question is whether Parliament itself will change with him.
