The election for India’s 17th Vice President is underway today, 9 September 2025. Voting began at 10 AM inside Parliament, and results will be declared this evening. The contest is between NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan and INDIA alliance candidate B. Sudarshan Reddy. The outcome will decide who takes charge as the next Vice President of the country.
Voting Begins with Prime Minister Modi Casting the First Vote
The voting process began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi exercising his vote first in the Parliament House. As Leader of the House, he symbolically initiated the process. Members of Parliament from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are participating in this election. By evening, the Election Commission will count the votes and declare the result.
The election holds significance not just for its constitutional importance but also for its political weight. Both alliances, NDA and INDIA bloc, are treating this vote as a test of strength.
The Contest Between CP Radhakrishnan and B. Sudarshan Reddy
The NDA has nominated CP Radhakrishnan, a senior leader and current Governor of Maharashtra. The INDIA bloc has fielded former Supreme Court judge B. Sudarshan Reddy. Both leaders have expressed confidence, but the arithmetic of numbers gives an edge to NDA.
NDA leaders predict that Radhakrishnan will win with a comfortable margin. INDIA alliance, however, is banking on cross-voting and conscience voting by MPs. The suspense will end once the ballots are counted later in the day.
No Election Symbols or Party Whip in Vice Presidential Poll
Unlike general elections, Vice Presidential elections are conducted differently. There are no election symbols, and political parties cannot issue whips. Members of Parliament vote according to their choice. Every valid vote counts, and spoiled ballots can affect the final tally.
In the past, there have been only four instances where Vice Presidents were elected unopposed. This time, with a direct contest between two candidates, political observers see the election as a reflection of the current political mood in the country.
BJD, SAD, and BRS Stay Away from the Election
Three political parties have chosen not to participate in this election. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s BJD, the Shiromani Akali Dal from Punjab, and K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s BRS from Telangana have announced that they will stay away.
Their absence reduces the overall number of votes from 781 to 770. This brings the majority mark to 386. With NDA commanding a strong position, the absence of these parties is not expected to alter the outcome significantly.
Support for Both Candidates from Different Parties
The INDIA bloc has received support from AIMIM and Aam Aadmi Party. On the other hand, the YSRCP has declared support for the NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan. This mix of endorsements reflects the evolving political alignments.
To avoid confusion during voting, the INDIA alliance even conducted a mock poll. Leaders explained ballot procedures carefully to MPs to ensure that no vote is wasted. Congress leaders expressed hope that Sudarshan Reddy could secure around 324 votes. However, this falls short of the 386 required for a majority, making cross-voting crucial for the opposition.
CP Radhakrishnan Seeks Blessings at Ram Mandir
Before casting his vote, CP Radhakrishnan visited the Shri Ram Mandir at Lodhi Road in Delhi. After offering prayers, he told journalists that his victory would represent the triumph of Indian nationalism. He claimed a decisive win for NDA and said unity among supporters would bring a big margin.
Senior BJP leaders also expressed confidence. Anurag Thakur said the numbers were clearly in favor of NDA. Prahlad Joshi added that discontent within Congress could hurt its candidate.
Sudarshan Reddy Confident of INDIA Bloc Victory
Opposition candidate Sudarshan Reddy remained optimistic. Addressing the media, he thanked supporters across the country and said he would speak to them tomorrow as Vice President. His comments reflected the confidence of the INDIA bloc, which hopes that unity and moral appeal will sway the outcome.
Congress MP Imran Masood described the contest as an election to save the soul of the nation. He predicted victory for Sudarshan Reddy despite the numerical disadvantage.
BJP Focuses on Margin of Victory
For the BJP, the election is not only about winning but also about winning big. Party leaders have repeatedly said that the margin of victory will send a political message. According to projections, NDA may secure around 436 votes, almost 50 more than required for a majority.
Analysts note that the party wants to use this election to showcase its dominance ahead of upcoming state polls. A big win margin would also silence critics who question the mandate of the ruling alliance.
Rahul Gandhi Returns to Vote
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi returned from Malaysia late last night. He is expected to cast his vote after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. His presence is symbolic of the INDIA bloc’s effort to project unity. Party leaders hope his vote and speech will energize their ranks, though the outcome is uncertain.
Statements from Leaders Reflect Sharp Divisions
The Vice Presidential election has become another arena of sharp political rivalry. BJP leaders predict a decisive defeat for Sudarshan Reddy, while INDIA bloc leaders insist they are united.
Kiren Rijiju stated that CP Radhakrishnan would receive more than a majority, even beyond NDA’s numbers. He emphasized that every vote matters, recalling that spoiled ballots had created problems in earlier elections. The Prime Minister has appealed to MPs to be careful and ensure no vote is wasted.
On the opposition side, leaders insist that conscience votes can still change the outcome. They argue that the election is about values and the country’s future, not just numbers.
Why Candidates Cannot Vote for Themselves
A unique aspect of this election is that the two candidates cannot cast votes for themselves. Only Members of Parliament are eligible voters, and the candidates are not MPs. This detail often surprises the public but is part of the constitutional framework for such elections.
Political Context of the Election
The Vice Presidential election is happening at a politically sensitive moment. Rahul Gandhi has been directly attacking Prime Minister Modi, and both sides are preparing for upcoming state elections. The result will therefore be seen as a political statement as much as a constitutional outcome.
Observers say that while the position of Vice President is largely constitutional, the election has become a symbolic battle between two major alliances. For NDA, a big win margin will boost confidence. For the INDIA bloc, even a closer-than-expected result will be considered a moral victory.
By evening, the counting of votes will reveal the final outcome. With 770 MPs eligible to vote and 386 required for a majority, the arithmetic clearly favors NDA. Yet, the opposition hopes for cross-voting surprises.
Whether CP Radhakrishnan secures a commanding victory or Sudarshan Reddy manages a strong challenge, the election marks another milestone in India’s political journey. For the public, today’s result will decide the 17th Vice President of India, a figure who will also serve as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
