Vice President Race Begins as EC Sets September 9 Polls, Parties Scramble for Candidates

Dhankhar’s abrupt resignation leaves Parliament buzzing as NDA and INDIA alliance ready for a high-stakes contest

In a move that surprised even his closest aides, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar submitted his resignation last month, cutting short a tenure that was expected to run till 2027. On Thursday, the Election Commission issued a formal notification for the election to fill the country’s second-highest constitutional post. The date has been set for September 9.

With nominations open starting today and the deadline to file set for August 21, both the BJP-led NDA and the opposition’s INDIA bloc are now in overdrive to finalize their nominees for what’s shaping up to be a politically charged contest in the run-up to key state elections later this year.

A resignation no one saw coming

When Dhankhar, 74, tendered his resignation on July 21, it caught many in Delhi’s power corridors off guard. Even members of his personal staff reportedly learned of the decision only after it had been communicated to the President.

Two years into his five-year term, Dhankhar was known for his assertive style during Rajya Sabha proceedings and his frequent friction with opposition MPs. While no official reason was given for his departure, speculation is rife about health concerns or differences with party leadership.

There’s been no public comment from Dhankhar since the resignation. A brief statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan simply said that his resignation had been accepted “with immediate effect.”

One line. That’s all.

Election calendar tight, campaign plans tighter

The EC notification sets in motion a closely timed process. Here’s what the schedule looks like:

• Last date for filing nominations: August 21

• Scrutiny of nominations: August 22

• Deadline for withdrawal: August 25

• Election date: September 9

• Counting (if necessary): Same day

Unlike presidential elections, where state legislators also have a vote, the Vice President is elected solely by members of Parliament. That’s 788 MPs across Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha—elected and nominated.

And because it’s a secret ballot using proportional representation through a single transferable vote, alliances matter. A lot.

NDA vs INDIA: Numbers, alliances, and anxiety

The numbers give NDA a slight edge—on paper.

The ruling coalition, including the BJP, JD(U), Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and others, commands close to 450 MPs. But the INDIA alliance—an umbrella group of Congress, TMC, DMK, AAP, SP, and Left parties—isn’t far behind, hovering around 320-330, depending on cross-party loyalty and last-minute switches.

But the real challenge? It’s not just about numbers. It’s about optics.

This election will be the first major political flashpoint since the 2024 general election. A strong opposition candidate could be a symbolic show of strength from INDIA. On the other hand, a comfortable win for the NDA would reaffirm its grip over Parliament ahead of the winter session and several crucial state elections in Bihar, Maharashtra, and Haryana.

One senior Congress MP put it bluntly: “This isn’t about who becomes Vice President. It’s about who controls the narrative in Delhi for the next six months.”

So, who’s in the running?

As of now, no official names have been confirmed. But speculation is running wild in Lutyens’ Delhi.

Possible NDA picks being whispered in BJP corridors include:

• Arjun Ram Meghwal – Union Law Minister; seen as a soft-spoken consensus builder

• Anandiben Patel – Governor of Uttar Pradesh; former Gujarat CM

• Sudha Yadav – RSS leader from Haryana; symbolic choice for OBC outreach

Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc is reportedly mulling:

• Ghulam Nabi Azad – Ex-Congress stalwart; signals a possible outreach to Kashmir

• Sushmita Dev – TMC MP; younger face, strong orator

• Mallikarjun Kharge – Congress President; but may prefer to stay party chief through 2029

But here’s the twist—neither side wants to blink first. Announcing a candidate too early might give the other side time to counter-strategize. So the guessing game continues.

How the VP is chosen: A quick explainer

Here’s how the Vice Presidential election actually works:

The single transferable vote system ensures that every vote counts—but also makes outcomes less predictable. One or two MPs flipping sides can tilt the balance.

Dhankhar’s tenure and legacy

Dhankhar, a former lawyer and Governor of West Bengal, was nominated by the BJP in 2022. His election that year was an easy win, with support from non-NDA parties like BJD and YSRCP.

But his time in office was anything but smooth.

He often clashed with opposition MPs during Rajya Sabha debates. His pointed interventions on rules, time limits, and procedural decorum made him a divisive figure—respected by some, resented by others.

In private, MPs from both sides agree on one thing: “He was no pushover.”

What’s at stake beyond symbolism

This is not just about the Vice President. The VP is also the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. Whoever wins will have a crucial role in shaping how Parliament functions.

That’s especially relevant now, when debates have grown more heated, walkouts more common, and parliamentary procedures more politicized than ever before.

It’s also a test of unity—for both alliances. If INDIA fields a strong, consensus candidate and holds its flock together, it may score a symbolic victory even if it loses numerically. If NDA’s choice faces dissent within, it could signal deeper cracks beneath the surface.

So yeah, it’s more than a formality. It’s political theatre at its most raw and strategic.