The Electoral College has 788 members, including 12 nominated, with 781 voting. NDA expects 425–435 supporters, while BRS and BJD remain neutral, influencing the Vice-Presidential contest

New Delhi

Polling for the Vice-Presidential elections started at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the Parliament Complex and will continue until 5 p.m., with counting scheduled at 6 p.m. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is aiming to secure strong support from its allies and neutral MPs, seeking both numerical and moral advantage over the Opposition candidate in this closely watched contest.

While NDA nominee C.P. Radhakrishnan holds a clear edge in numbers, the Congress-led INDIA bloc is putting up a spirited fight. For the Opposition, the election carries an ideological significance, framing it as a battle between the RSS and those challenging its influence. Justice Sudershan Reddy described the poll as an effort to awaken people’s conscience, while Radhakrishnan positioned it as a contest to promote nationalism and the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The Electoral College includes 788 lawmakers—543 from the Lok Sabha and 245 from the Rajya Sabha, including 12 nominated members with voting rights. With six Rajya Sabha and one Lok Sabha seat vacant, the total voting strength is 781. NDA expects support from 425 MPs, which could rise above 435 with backing from the YSR Congress. Parties like BRS and BJD have opted to stay neutral.

Although Radhakrishnan is likely to win, the focus remains on the margin. Unlike Jagdeep Dhankhar’s 2022 victory margin of over 300 votes, this time it is expected to be around 100–150 votes. Radhakrishnan’s rapport across parties and NDA’s outreach to neutral lawmakers could help secure a significant lead. A bigger margin would enhance NDA’s moral and political influence over the INDIA bloc, reflecting its growing strength in Parliament.