A major political contest is beginning to take shape ahead of the Vice-Presidential election scheduled for September 9, as the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has officially announced Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its candidate, and the Opposition’s INDIA bloc is set to hold a crucial meeting today to finalise its own joint nominee.
With August 21 being the last date for filing nominations, political parties on both sides are working swiftly to consolidate support, setting the stage for what could become a significant constitutional and political battle.

According to sources, leaders of the INDIA alliance are scheduled to meet at Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s office in Parliament at 10:15 a.m. on Monday to discuss possible names and build consensus. This meeting will seek to avoid the internal divisions that emerged during the last Vice-Presidential election, when the Trinamool Congress declined to support the Opposition’s candidate, Margaret Alva, resulting in an embarrassing setback for the anti-BJP front.

Who Will Be the INDIA Bloc’s Candidate?

Opposition leaders have already indicated that they are leaning toward fielding a “non-political” candidate, preferably someone not affiliated with Congress, in order to secure backing from parties such as TMC, AAP, BRS and BJD.
According to reports, top leaders in the Congress believe that a joint INDIA bloc candidate who represents the entire alliance rather than a single party will have a stronger chance of drawing support from outside the core coalition and presenting a united front against the ruling NDA.

The search for such a candidate is aimed at avoiding repetition of past mistakes, with senior Congress leaders emphasising the need for collective ownership over the nomination. Sources indicated that several names have already been informally circulated, and the alliance hopes to make an announcement later today once internal consultations are complete.

NDA Fields CP Radhakrishnan: A Strategic Choice

The ruling BJP, meanwhile, has fielded CP Radhakrishnan, a seasoned BJP leader and current Governor of Maharashtra, describing him as a consensus-oriented and widely respected figure.
BJP President J.P. Nadda, while announcing the nomination, also said that the NDA will reach out to Opposition parties in the hope of arriving at a consensus candidate for the Vice-Presidential election, signalling the ruling coalition’s effort to reduce political confrontation over one of the country’s highest constitutional offices.

Radhakrishnan hails from Tamil Nadu, a state expected to go to the polls in 2026, and political observers note that the nomination may also serve as strategic outreach to regional parties such as the DMK, which holds significant influence in the state. Whether such outreach will translate into across-the-board support remains to be seen, as most non-NDA regional parties are currently aligned with or sympathetic to the INDIA bloc.

Possible Political Showdown or Consensus?

The coming hours will be critical, as the INDIA bloc’s ability to agree on a single candidate will determine whether the election becomes a fierce contest or a largely symbolic vote.
Political analysts point out that while the NDA holds a numerical advantage in the electoral college—which consists of members of both Houses of Parliament—a strong, widely respected INDIA bloc nominee could force a closer contest, particularly if some smaller regional parties decide to abstain or vote based on political considerations rather than party alignment.

The Vice-Presidential election has been triggered by the unexpected resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar, and the political stakes are high given that the Vice-President is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, a position with significant influence over parliamentary proceedings.

With the nomination deadline fast approaching, all eyes will remain on the INDIA bloc’s meeting and on whether it can present a united front in the race against the NDA’s nominee, CP Radhakrishnan.

Conclusion

In conclusion, with CP Radhakrishnan named as the NDA’s Vice-Presidential candidate, the upcoming INDIA bloc discussions today will be decisive in shaping the final political contest. The Opposition is aiming to field a non-political, broad-based candidate in order to galvanise wider support and avoid internal rifts, while the BJP is appealing for consensus.
Whether the election turns into a fierce battle or a negotiated outcome will depend on the Opposition’s ability to agree on a single nominee and the stance adopted by key regional players ahead of the September 9 vote.

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