Vice Presidential Election: The race for India’s next Vice President is officially underway. Just days after Jagdeep Dhankhar tendered his resignation from the constitutional post, the Election Commission has announced that the Vice Presidential election will be held on September 9, if needed. The new Vice President will serve a full five-year term starting from the day they assume office.
According to the official notification, the election process will kick off on August 7, with the last date for filing nominations set for August 21. Scrutiny of nominations will take place the following day, on August 22. Candidates will have until August 25 to withdraw their names, should they choose to. If more than one candidate remains in the fray, polling will be conducted on September 9 and the counting of votes will take place on the same day.
This development has triggered high-level political activity across the country, with both the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc preparing for a potential showdown. The INDIA bloc has already confirmed that it will field a joint candidate. Meanwhile, the BJP is expected to initiate discussions with its allies soon, likely within the coming week, according to sources close to the matter.
Jagdeep Dhankhar had assumed office as the fourteenth Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on August 11, 2022. He had succeeded M. Venkaiah Naidu. Known for his legal background and long political career, Dhankhar’s appointment was viewed as a strategic move by the NDA. Prior to taking the oath, Dhankhar visited Rajghat and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi—an act symbolizing his respect for the country’s democratic roots.
His sudden resignation on July 21 has now paved the way for a high-stakes election, giving both camps a chance to recalibrate their strategies. For the NDA, it’s an opportunity to solidify its hold on the second-highest constitutional office. For the INDIA bloc, it represents a crucial test of its unity and coordination ahead of the 2026 general elections.
As political dynamics continue to shift, all eyes are now on who the candidates will be and how alliances will shape up in the coming weeks. The outcome of this election won’t just decide who presides over the Rajya Sabha—it will also serve as a barometer of political momentum in a country gearing up for another national showdown.