As the nation gears up to elect its next Vice President, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has voiced strong confidence in the victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, C.P. Radhakrishnan. Voting for the Vice Presidential election took place today, September 9, 2025, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the first to cast his ballot.

The election pits Radhakrishnan, the current Governor of Maharashtra, against B. Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge nominated by the opposition INDIA bloc. The Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. All members of Parliament, including nominated members, are eligible to vote in this election, which is conducted through a secret ballot.

Minister Joshi's confidence stems from the NDA's commanding position in both houses of Parliament. The NDA enjoys a clear majority, and with support from allied parties, it is expected to secure a comfortable win. Several parties, including BRS, BJD, and SAD, have decided to abstain from voting, but their decision is unlikely to significantly impact the outcome.

According to India TV’s analysis, Radhakrishnan is expected to receive backing from at least 437 members of parliament, exceeding the 391 votes needed to win. The INDIA bloc candidate, Reddy, is projected to secure around 323 votes. NDTV reported that sources within the NDA anticipate at least 150 cross-votes in the Rajya Sabha alone.

The election was necessitated by the resignation of the previous Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, who stepped down on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons. According to Article 68 of the Constitution of India, an election to fill the vacancy must be held as soon as possible.

The contest is not only about numbers but also about ideology. While the NDA aims to continue its governance agenda, the opposition INDIA bloc has framed the election as a moral battle, emphasizing the need to safeguard the values enshrined in the constitution.

Voting took place in the Parliament House in New Delhi, with the counting of votes scheduled to begin later in the day. The election process involves MPs marking their preference by writing the numeral '1' opposite their chosen candidate on the ballot. Mock polls were conducted to educate MPs about the process and minimize invalid votes.

Several leaders have expressed their views on the election. BJP MP Kiran Choudhry stated that C.P. Radhakrishnan is going to be the Vice President, emphasizing his capabilities and service to the nation. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed confidence that Radhakrishnan would receive more votes than the NDA's actual strength, suggesting potential support from outside the alliance.

In the 2022 Vice Presidential election, Jagdeep Dhankhar secured a significant victory with 528 votes, representing 74.37% of the total votes polled. This historical precedent further bolsters the NDA's confidence in securing another win.

While the opposition acknowledges the numerical advantage of the NDA, they maintain that their participation is crucial to highlight alternative ideologies and ensure a contest for the values they believe in. Regardless of the outcome, the Vice Presidential election serves as a significant event in India's political calendar, shaping the leadership in the upper house of Parliament and reflecting the broader political landscape of the country.