Vice-Presidential Election Today: CP Radhakrishnan vs Sudershan Reddy

Parliament will vote on Tuesday to elect India’s 15th Vice President, two months after Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation. The contest pits NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan against INDIA bloc’s B. Sudershan Reddy.

The Candidates

• CP Radhakrishnan (NDA): Maharashtra Governor, veteran BJP leader, two-time MP from Coimbatore during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, and former Jharkhand Governor.

• B. Sudershan Reddy (INDIA bloc): Former Supreme Court judge (2007–2011), remembered for landmark rulings including striking down Chhattisgarh’s Salwa Judum. He also briefly served as Goa’s first Lokayukta.

When & Where

• Date: Tuesday, September 9

• Venue: Room No. F-101, Vasudha, Parliament House

• Time: 10 am – 5 pm. Results will be announced the same day.

• Returning Officer: Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody

Who Votes

The Vice President is chosen by an electoral college of 781 MPs from both Houses:

• 543 elected Lok Sabha MPs

• 233 elected Rajya Sabha MPs

• 12 nominated Rajya Sabha MPs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will cast the first vote, alongside MPs from Punjab and Haryana.

Voting Line-Up

• For NDA’s Radhakrishnan: BJP, JD(U), TDP, Shiv Sena (Shinde), NCP (Ajit Pawar), and others.

• For INDIA’s Reddy: Congress, DMK, TMC, Left parties, RJD, JMM, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, AAP, AIMIM, among others.

• Abstaining: BRS, BJD, Shiromani Akali Dal.

The Numbers

• Victory mark: 391 votes

• NDA strength: About 422 MPs — giving Radhakrishnan a clear edge.

• Opposition bloc: Significantly short of majority, but seeking to mount a symbolic contest.

Role & Perks

The Vice President is the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. While the post doesn’t carry a separate salary, the Chairmanship offers a monthly pay of ₹4 lakh along with official residence, staff, travel, security, and medical facilities.