PM Modi Casts First Vote as High-Stakes Vice President Polling Begins
India is set to elect its 14th Vice President, and with it, a new Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. The contest has turned into a political showdown between the ruling nda and the opposition india bloc, with voting underway in parliament today.1. PM Modi Leads Voting at 10 AMPolling began at 10 am inside parliament House, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi casting the very first ballot. Soon after, Sonia Gandhi, priyanka Gandhi, mallikarjun Kharge, JP Nadda, and Nitin Gadkari followed. Voting continues till 5 pm, with counting set to begin at 6 pm.2. NDA’s Pick: CP RadhakrishnanAge: 68Background: Two-time lok sabha mp from Coimbatore.Current role: governor of Maharashtra.Community link: Belongs to the Gounder-Kongu Vellalar OBC community.
He has pitched his candidacy as a fight for “Indian nationalism” and a “Viksit Bharat.”3. india Bloc’s Candidate: Justice B Sudershan ReddyAge: 79Career: Retired supreme court judge from Telangana.Known for: Landmark rulings against Salwa Judum and on black money probes.
Justice reddy said his campaign is about “awakening the conscience” of MPs.4. The Numbers Game: Who Holds the Edge?Electoral college strength: 781 MPs (238 rajya sabha + 542 Lok Sabha).Effective strength: 770, since BRS and BJD are abstaining.Majority mark: 386 votes.5. NDA’s Strength on PaperNDA holds 425 MPs.Backed by YSR Congress and possibly AAP’s swati Maliwal.Projected tally: 436 MPs, well above majority.6. india Bloc’s StrengthINDIA alliance has 324 MPs.Some independents and smaller parties remain undecided.While behind in numbers, they are hoping for cross-voting surprises.7. Voting Rules & Special ArrangementsConducted by secret ballot under proportional representation.MPs rank candidates in order of preference.Ambiguous votes are invalid.MPs in preventive detention like Sheikh Abdul Rashid and Amritpal Singh are casting postal ballots.8. Margin Matters: Lessons from 2022In the 2022 VP polls, jagdeep dhankhar (NDA) won by a massive 346-vote margin.
This time, analysts expect a narrower gap of 100–125 votes, reflecting a stronger opposition presence.9. Why This election Is CrucialThe Vice President doubles as the Rajya Sabha Chairperson, making the result vital for parliamentary functioning. A slimmer victory margin, or significant cross-voting, could give the opposition moral momentum.10. What’s at Stake TonightBy nightfall, india will know its new Vice President. While the nda is comfortably ahead, the margin of victory will be closely read as a barometer of political clout ahead of future parliamentary battles.✨ Bottom Line: The election is more than just a numbers game—it’s a test of loyalties, discipline, and shifting political undercurrents inside Parliament. Every vote counts, and the final margin could carry symbolic weight beyond today. Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.
He has pitched his candidacy as a fight for “Indian nationalism” and a “Viksit Bharat.”3. india Bloc’s Candidate: Justice B Sudershan ReddyAge: 79Career: Retired supreme court judge from Telangana.Known for: Landmark rulings against Salwa Judum and on black money probes.
Justice reddy said his campaign is about “awakening the conscience” of MPs.4. The Numbers Game: Who Holds the Edge?Electoral college strength: 781 MPs (238 rajya sabha + 542 Lok Sabha).Effective strength: 770, since BRS and BJD are abstaining.Majority mark: 386 votes.5. NDA’s Strength on PaperNDA holds 425 MPs.Backed by YSR Congress and possibly AAP’s swati Maliwal.Projected tally: 436 MPs, well above majority.6. india Bloc’s StrengthINDIA alliance has 324 MPs.Some independents and smaller parties remain undecided.While behind in numbers, they are hoping for cross-voting surprises.7. Voting Rules & Special ArrangementsConducted by secret ballot under proportional representation.MPs rank candidates in order of preference.Ambiguous votes are invalid.MPs in preventive detention like Sheikh Abdul Rashid and Amritpal Singh are casting postal ballots.8. Margin Matters: Lessons from 2022In the 2022 VP polls, jagdeep dhankhar (NDA) won by a massive 346-vote margin.
This time, analysts expect a narrower gap of 100–125 votes, reflecting a stronger opposition presence.9. Why This election Is CrucialThe Vice President doubles as the Rajya Sabha Chairperson, making the result vital for parliamentary functioning. A slimmer victory margin, or significant cross-voting, could give the opposition moral momentum.10. What’s at Stake TonightBy nightfall, india will know its new Vice President. While the nda is comfortably ahead, the margin of victory will be closely read as a barometer of political clout ahead of future parliamentary battles.✨ Bottom Line: The election is more than just a numbers game—it’s a test of loyalties, discipline, and shifting political undercurrents inside Parliament. Every vote counts, and the final margin could carry symbolic weight beyond today. Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.