VICE PRESIDENT ELECTIONS

VICE PRESIDENT ELECTIONS

Why in News?

• P. Radhakrishnan, former Maharashtra Governor and BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, was elected the 17th Vice-President of India on September 9, 2025.
• He defeated Justice B. Sudershan Reddy (Retd.), the joint Opposition (INDIA bloc) nominee, by a margin of 152 votes.
• The Vice Presidential election followed the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar in July, two years before completing his term.
• The ruling NDA nominated P. Radhakrishnan (Governor of Maharashtra), while the Opposition fielded B. Sudershan Reddy (former Supreme Court judge).

KEY POLITICAL TAKEAWAYS

1. Opposition Falls Short

• Despite claims of full participation, the Opposition candidate received only 300 votes — 24 less than the INDIA bloc’s estimated strength (324).
• Congress called this a “moral victory”; BJP claimed cross-voting

2. Cross-Voting and Invalid Ballots

• BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal claimed up to 40 Opposition MPs voted in some form for the NDA candidate.
• The 15 invalid votes are believed to be deliberately spoiled by some Opposition MPs — suggesting internal divisions.

3. Ruling Alliance Exceeds Its Strength

• NDA+ allies were expected to gather 439 votes; Radhakrishnan received 452, indicating 13 additional votes, possibly due to cross-voting or support from unaffiliated MPs.

4. Strong Symbolic Message

• Radhakrishnan’s election:
  • Reinforces BJP’s OBC outreach (Gounder community in Tamil Nadu).
  • Adds Southern representation at the top constitutional level.
  • Marks a shift from confrontational predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar, signaling a possible course correction.

5. Widespread Participation – Despite Odds

• Aged and ill MPs participated:
  • Deve Gowda (92) voted in a wheelchair.
  • Engineer Rashid, in judicial custody under UAPA, brought under court order.
  • TMC MPs voted despite illness.
  • Amritpal Singh (NSA detainee) abstained, returning postal ballot.

6. OBC Representation & Social Messaging

• Radhakrishnan is from the OBC Gounder community, reinforcing BJP’s OBC outreach.
• Now, all three top constitutional posts (President, PM, Vice President) are held by marginalised social groups:
  • President – Adivasi woman
  • PM – OBC (Western India)
  • Vice President – OBC (Southern India)
• Strategic Tamil Nadu Focus
  • First time in decades a Tamil Nadu leader holds such a high post.
  • Seen as BJP’s strategic preparation for 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, where it aims to expand influence via AIADMK alliance and Gounder vote consolidation.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS: VP OF INDIA

KEY FUNCTIONS & POWERS

• Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha
  • Presides over Rajya Sabha sessions.
  • Maintains order and discipline in the House.
  • Does not vote in first instance; can cast deciding vote in case of tie.
• Acts as President
  • During vacancy in President’s office (death, resignation, impeachment, etc.)
  • When President is unable to perform duties (illness, absence, etc.)
  • Enjoys all powers, privileges, and salary of the President during this period.
• Second highest constitutional office in India (after the President).

ELECTION PROCESS OF VP OF INDIA (ARTICLE 66)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (ARTICLE 66 (3) & (4))

• Note: If an MP or MLA is elected as Vice President, they are deemed to have vacated their seat on assuming office.

TERM & REMOVAL (ARTICLE 67)

 DISPUTES REGARDING ELECTIONS

• Only Supreme Court has jurisdiction to adjudicate election disputes.
• Decision is final and binding.
• Acts done during term of a Vice President whose election is later declared void remain valid.
• Parliament may regulate any matter related to such elections by law.

POST RETIREMENT PERKS & EMOLUMENTS

Salary & Pension

• Pension: 50% of the last drawn salary (₹2 lakh/month as of 2025).
• Spouse entitled to 50% of the pension post demise of the Vice President.

OTHER PERKS UNDER VP PENSION ACT, 1997

• Furnished residence (rent-free)
• Medical facilities
• Secretarial staff:
  • Private Secretary
  • Additional Private Secretary
  • Personal Assistant
  • Two Peons
• Office and travel expenses (up to a fixed limit)

IMPORTANCE OF THE VP ELECTION

• Reflects parliamentary democracy at work, as the electoral college consists only of MPs.
• Vacancy due to premature resignation (as in 2025) is rare.
• Can influence Rajya Sabha functioning, especially during politically tense periods.
• Vital constitutional back-up for the President.

PRESIDENT V/S VICE PRESIDENT

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