Title: Jagdeep Dhankhar Poised for Victory as MPs Elect India's Vice President Today
Date: August 6, 2022
Body:
As India's Members of Parliament convene today to elect the nation's next Vice President, all indications point towards a comfortable win for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, Jagdeep Dhankhar. The former Governor of West Bengal is widely favored to succeed M Venkaiah Naidu, given the ruling coalition's commanding numerical strength in the electoral college.
The election process for the Vice President of India involves all elected and nominated members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. This collective body, comprising 780 Members of Parliament, forms the electoral college. With the NDA and its allies holding a significant majority in both houses, Dhankhar’s path to the Vice Presidency appears largely unhindered. He is pitted against the Opposition's joint candidate, veteran Congress leader Margaret Alva.
Jagdeep Dhankhar, a seasoned politician and a lawyer by profession, brings a wealth of experience to the table. His tenure as the Governor of West Bengal was marked by frequent, high-profile clashes with the state's Trinamool Congress government, which often kept him in the national spotlight. This background has positioned him as a strong and visible face for the ruling party.
The arithmetic of the Vice Presidential election heavily favors the NDA. A simple majority of the total votes cast is required for victory. Given the current composition of Parliament, where the NDA commands over 440 MPs and enjoys support from several non-aligned parties, Dhankhar is expected to secure well over the required 390 votes. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alone possesses 303 members in the Lok Sabha and 91 in the Rajya Sabha, forming a formidable base. Coupled with its allies, the coalition's numbers far exceed the halfway mark, making Dhankhar's election almost a certainty.
The Vice President of India holds a pivotal constitutional role, serving as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament. This position is crucial for maintaining order, facilitating legislative debates, and ensuring the smooth functioning of parliamentary proceedings. Additionally, the Vice President assumes the duties of the President in the event of a vacancy due due to resignation, removal, death, or otherwise.
Dhankhar's anticipated victory will further solidify the NDA's hold on key constitutional offices, ensuring smoother coordination between the executive and legislative branches of government. It also underscores the ruling party's strategic planning ahead of the crucial 2024 general elections. As the nation awaits the official results later today, the political landscape suggests a clear mandate for Jagdeep Dhankhar to take on the distinguished role of India's Vice President.
