NDA picks CP Radhakrishnan for Vice President, opposition set to name rival today

The political spotlight has now shifted to the upcoming Vice-Presidential election, which will be held on September 9, 2025. After the sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar last month, both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition’s INDIA bloc are preparing to put forward their candidates for the second-highest constitutional post in the country.

The NDA on Sunday officially announced Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the election. On the other hand, the INDIA bloc, led by the Congress, will hold a key meeting today in New Delhi to decide on its nominee.

The last date for filing nominations is August 21, which means both camps must finalize their candidates quickly.

NDA bets on CP Radhakrishnan

The NDA has chosen CP Radhakrishnan, a veteran leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and current Governor of Maharashtra, as its nominee. Radhakrishnan is a seasoned politician from Tamil Nadu, and his long association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and BJP makes him a trusted figure within the ruling alliance.

By nominating him, the BJP hopes to strengthen its position in southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, which goes to the polls in 2026. Political observers believe that the NDA is trying to send a message that it is serious about expanding its influence in the southern states, where it still struggles against regional parties.

BJP president JP Nadda, while announcing Radhakrishnan’s name after a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board, said the NDA will also reach out to opposition parties to build a consensus. The BJP leadership feels that Radhakrishnan’s background and political experience may make it easier for them to attract support even from parties outside the NDA, including the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu.

This could potentially reduce the chances of a bitter contest, though it depends on what the INDIA bloc decides today.

INDIA bloc to decide on non-political candidate

The INDIA bloc, a coalition of several opposition parties including the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and others, is expected to announce its candidate today after a meeting at the office of Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. The meeting is scheduled for 10:15 am.

According to reports, the Congress leadership has suggested that the INDIA bloc should put forward a joint “non-political” candidate rather than a party-backed one. This strategy is meant to avoid the mistakes of the last Vice-Presidential election.

In 2022, the opposition fielded Margaret Alva, a former Congress minister, as its candidate against NDA’s Jagdeep Dhankhar. However, the decision led to differences within the bloc as the TMC, then the second-largest party in the alliance, refused to support Alva. That lack of unity weakened the opposition’s chances.

This time, the Congress is keen that the candidate should be seen as representing the entire alliance rather than just one party. A non-Congress, non-political candidate could also make it easier to attract support from neutral or regional parties such as the BRS, BJD, AAP, and TMC.

By choosing a consensus figure with no strong political affiliation, the INDIA bloc hopes to show unity and increase its influence in the election, even if the numbers are stacked in favor of the NDA.

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What lies ahead

The election for the Vice President will be closely watched because of its political significance. The Vice President not only holds the second-highest constitutional position but also serves as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. This makes the role crucial in ensuring smooth functioning of Parliament.

With the BJP holding a majority in the Lok Sabha and strong numbers in the Rajya Sabha, the NDA is confident about winning the election. However, the INDIA bloc sees this as an opportunity to project itself as a united opposition front ahead of the 2026 state elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

The nomination of CP Radhakrishnan by the NDA has set the stage. The real suspense now is about the INDIA bloc’s choice. Will they field a popular non-political figure who can gain cross-party support, or will they opt for a seasoned politician to challenge the ruling alliance directly?

Whatever the decision, the election promises to be an interesting battle, with both camps trying to make the most of the political symbolism attached to the post of Vice President.

The Vice-Presidential election of 2025 is shaping up to be more than just a constitutional exercise. For the NDA, it is a chance to strengthen its southern strategy and showcase unity behind a trusted leader like CP Radhakrishnan. For the INDIA bloc, it is a test of coordination and consensus-building after past missteps.

With the deadline for nominations closing on August 21 and voting scheduled for September 9, the next few days will be crucial. The final choice of the INDIA bloc will decide whether this election turns into a fierce contest or moves towards a consensus candidate.

Either way, the outcome will send a strong signal about the balance of power between the ruling alliance and the opposition in India’s political landscape.