The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised for victory in Tuesday’s vice-presidential election, though the margin is expected to be slimmer than in 2022, sources indicated.

The Vice President is chosen through a secret ballot by 781 Members of Parliament — 239 from the Rajya Sabha and 542 from the Lok Sabha. The majority mark is 391. On paper, the NDA commands 425 MPs, giving its nominee, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, a clear edge.

In the 2022 poll, Jagdeep Dhankhar secured nearly 75 percent of votes, the biggest win in three decades, aided by support from non-aligned parties. This time, the NDA is confident of backing from YSR Congress (11 MPs), while support from the BJD (7 MPs) remains undecided and the BRS (4 MPs) is expected to abstain. Even without them, the NDA’s tally could touch 436, and potentially rise further with independents and smaller parties.

Across the aisle, the opposition INDIA bloc has fielded Justice (retd) B. Sudershan Reddy, with around 324 MPs in its column. However, even a united opposition front — bolstered by independents, the BRS, and the BJD — would still fall at least 70 votes short. The NDA also claims to expect significant cross-voting in its favor, particularly from the Rajya Sabha.

For the opposition, the contest is less about winning and more about optics — highlighting increased numbers since the 2022 poll and building momentum ahead of key assembly elections in Bihar, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh over the next two years.

The election, conducted under the supervision of the Election Commission, requires each candidate to secure 20 proposers and 20 seconders from among MPs, alongside a security deposit. The process follows preferential voting until one candidate secures a simple majority.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is poised for victory in Tuesday’s vice-presidential election, though the margin is expected to be slimmer than in 2022, sources indicated.

The Vice President is chosen through a secret ballot by 781 Members of Parliament — 239 from the Rajya Sabha and 542 from the Lok Sabha. The majority mark is 391. On paper, the NDA commands 425 MPs, giving its nominee, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, a clear edge.

In the 2022 poll, Jagdeep Dhankhar secured nearly 75 percent of votes, the biggest win in three decades, aided by support from non-aligned parties. This time, the NDA is confident of backing from YSR Congress (11 MPs), while support from the BJD (7 MPs) remains undecided and the BRS (4 MPs) is expected to abstain. Even without them, the NDA’s tally could touch 436, and potentially rise further with independents and smaller parties.

Across the aisle, the opposition INDIA bloc has fielded Justice (retd) B. Sudershan Reddy, with around 324 MPs in its column. However, even a united opposition front — bolstered by independents, the BRS, and the BJD — would still fall at least 70 votes short. The NDA also claims to expect significant cross-voting in its favor, particularly from the Rajya Sabha.

For the opposition, the contest is less about winning and more about optics — highlighting increased numbers since the 2022 poll and building momentum ahead of key assembly elections in Bihar, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh over the next two years.

The election, conducted under the supervision of the Election Commission, requires each candidate to secure 20 proposers and 20 seconders from among MPs, alongside a security deposit. The process follows preferential voting until one candidate secures a simple majority.