Vice-Presidential poll: Reddy vs Radhakrishnan puts alliances to test; how the numbers stack up

NEW DELHI: The opposition on Tuesday named former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy as its candidate for the upcoming vice-presidential election. This comes days after the National Democratic Alliance announced Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan as its nominee.The vice-presidential election has turned into a "South vs South" contest, with Radhakrishnan hailing from Tamil Nadu and Reddy from Telangana.The NDA’s decision to field CP Radhakrishnan as its vice-presidential candidate has put the DMK in a spot, as rejecting a candidate from Tamil Nadu could be portrayed as disregarding Tamil pride—an issue rivals are expected to highlight in the 2026 campaign.However, extending support to the BJP’s nominee would go against the DMK’s long-standing political positioning against the Centre.Meanwhile, the opposition has countered with its own strategy by fielding an eminent Telugu face, making it difficult for parties in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana—the YSRCP and the BRS—to not back Reddy."Our cabinet and Congress party, on behalf of the people of Telangana and on behalf of the Telugu community, we request Telugu Desam Party, Janasena, YSR, BRS and AIMIM, all political parties, leaders should unite and try to make Justice Sudarshen Reddy win. After PV Narasimha Rao, Telangana did not get such an opportunity," Telangana CM Revanth Reddy said.TDP leader Nara Lokesh, however, met Radhakrishnan in Delhi and extended warm wishes on behalf of his party.How the numbers stack upThe vice president is elected by members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members of the Upper House. Currently, the NDA holds a comfortable edge. The combined strength of the two Houses stands at 786, factoring in six vacancies—one in the Lok Sabha (Basirhat, West Bengal) and five in the Rajya Sabha (four from Jammu and Kashmir and one from Punjab, where AAP MP Sanjeev Arora stepped down after winning a state assembly bypoll last month). To win, a candidate must secure at least 394 votes, assuming full turnout.The BJP-led NDA is well positioned. It commands the support of 293 MPs in the 542-member Lok Sabha and 129 MPs in the Rajya Sabha (effective strength: 240), including likely backing from nominated members. This gives the ruling alliance a projected total of 422 votes—well above the required majority. However, if a few NDA members rebel and vote for the INDIA bloc candidate, the balance may shift.Under Article 68(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of the vice president due to resignation, death, removal, or otherwise must be held "as soon as possible." The person elected will serve a full five-year term from the date of assuming office. The vice-presidential election follows the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote and is conducted via secret ballot, as laid down in Article 66(1). Electors rank candidates in order of preference.The vice president is the second-highest constitutional authority in India and also serves as ex-officio chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. While the tenure is five years, the incumbent continues until a successor takes office. Dhankhar, who took office in August 2022, resigned abruptly citing health reasons. His resignation letter was submitted to President Droupadi Murmu and took effect immediately.