After Jagdeep Dhankhar’s shocking resignation from the Vice Presidency on July 21, 2025, parliament is to get down to the business of an urgent constitutional exercise. Dhankhar took oath on August 6, 2022, with his term slated to end on August 11, 2027. His abrupt departure cuts short that period and places pressure on lawmakers to fill the void swiftly. The Election Commission’s directive to hold polls within two months reflects the office’s pivotal role in Parliament. This high office serves as a safeguard for constitutional propriety, intervening when legislative deadlock arises. Serving as Rajya Sabha chair and constitutional overseer, the vice president combines ceremonial stature with significant procedural responsibilities. Article 66(1) of the Constitution prescribes proportional representation through the single transferable vote. Every member of both Houses casts a secret ballot, including nominated Rajya Sabha members. Nominated members of the Upper House, although fewer in number, can tip close contests and their participation remains a critical factor. Turnout rates and internal party discipline will play a defining role in whether the projected majority translates into votes on the day of polling. The Lok Sabha presently has 542 seats with one vacancy and the Rajya Sabha counts 240 with five vacancies. This yields an electorate of 786. A candidate must secure at least 394 votes to claim victory. Those figures orient the contest firmly around arithmetic and alliance strength rather than popular sentiment. The ruling National Democratic Alliance holds a clear advantage. It commands 293 seats in the Lok Sabha and 129 in the Rajya Sabha, totaling 422 supporters. That margin grants the coalition practical control over the outcome. Even a divided opposition lacks the numbers to challenge the NDA nominee. This majority dynamic underscores how parliamentary postings can reinforce government stability while shaping legislative leadership. Potential nominees reflect both experience and strategy. Harivansh Narayan Singh, the sitting Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and a JD(U) member, offers institutional knowledge and cross-party respect. Speculation also includes senior BJP figures such as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and party president JP Nadda. However, the BJP retains flexibility to nominate a governor, a technocrat, or a behind-the-scenes party loyalist. This discretion allows the ruling party to align its pick with broader governance goals and electoral calculations. Nomination logistics will also signal the BJP’s priorities ahead of forthcoming state and general elections. The vice president’s office often appears ceremonial, but its occupant wields influence over legislative proceedings and constitutional continuity. The presiding officer must balance impartiality with political realities. Dhankhar’s departure without public explanation has raised questions about the office’s neutrality and its susceptibility to executive pressures. Any successor will face the challenge of asserting independence while navigating party expectations and preserving the integrity of parliamentary debate. As the NDA finalizes its choice, the nation watches how this decision will reflect the coalition’s parliamentary leadership and democratic norms. Conventionally, the vice president is expected to do more than preside over the upper house; the selection signals the alliance’s broader approach to free debates, procedural fairness and constitutional stewardship. The outcome will offer a barometer of the ruling party’s priorities and its commitment to balancing expediency with institutional resilience.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025