Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s unexpected resignation on July 21, 2025, citing health concerns, the race for the second-highest constitutional post in the country has entered a decisive phase. The Election Commission of India has announced that voting for the Vice-Presidential election will be held on September 9, with the results to be declared the same day. The process formally began on August 1, just two days after Dhankhar stepped down. Members of the Electoral College comprising both elected and nominated members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will cast their votes through a secret ballot, in line with the proportional representation system by means of the single transferable vote.
The election schedule is tightly packed. August 21 is the last date for filing nominations,
followed by scrutiny and a short period for withdrawal of candidature. The High-Level Committee of the NDA, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by senior leaders from alliance partners such as the JDU, Shiv Sena, TDP, and LJP (Ram Vilas), has given Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president J.P. Nadda full authority to decide the alliance’s candidate. Sources within the NDA have hinted that the nominee may be revealed between August 18 and 20, just ahead of the deadline, allowing the party to keep speculation alive while gauging the opposition’s moves.
Several prominent names are currently in circulation within political circles. Harivansh Narayan Singh, the current Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha and Acting Chairperson since Dhankhar’s resignation, is considered a strong contender due to his parliamentary experience and cross-party acceptability. V.K. Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi known for his administrative skills and work in artisan welfare, is another front-runner. Manoj Sinha, former Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and a veteran BJP leader, brings both political and governance credentials. Acharya Devvrat, the Governor of Gujarat and a former academic administrator, is also in the mix. In addition, senior leaders such as Thawar Chand Gehlot and Seshadri Chari have been floated as possible choices, while Nitish Kumar and Ram Nath Thakur are being discussed for their potential to consolidate backward community support.
The NDA appears confident of securing victory, with the Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde already pledging unconditional support for the alliance’s candidate. However, the opposition INDIA bloc led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is working to field a unified opposition candidate, aiming to present a direct challenge to the NDA nominee. Kharge has reportedly been reaching out to regional allies to finalise a name that can symbolise the bloc’s unity and ideological stance.
The Vice-Presidential election holds not just ceremonial significance but also practical importance, as the Vice President is the ex officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha and plays a pivotal role in steering legislative business in the Upper House. Given the government’s ambitious legislative agenda in the coming parliamentary sessions, the choice of Vice President could impact the political climate in the Rajya Sabha for years to come.
With just weeks to go, the contest is shaping up to be both politically strategic and symbolically charged. While the NDA is expected to maintain its numerical advantage, the choice of candidate whether a seasoned parliamentarian, an experienced administrator, or a figure chosen for community outreach will signal the alliance’s priorities ahead of the next general elections. For the opposition, the election will be an early test of its ability to stand united in the face of the BJP-led coalition’s dominance.
