With the Vice Presidential election looming on September 9, 2025, political activity in New Delhi has reached a fever pitch. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), at the helm of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is orchestrating a series of high-stakes meetings and strategic maneuvers as it seeks to consolidate its position in the coalition’s delicate third term. The BJP’s Parliamentary Board, its highest decision-making body, is scheduled to meet on August 17 at the party headquarters to finalize the NDA’s candidate for the Vice Presidency—a decision that is expected to set the tone for the alliance’s future and test its current strength.
According to The Federal, the NDA had already, on August 6, passed a unanimous resolution authorizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief JP Nadda to finalize the alliance’s nominee for the Vice Presidential election. This move, sources say, was designed to streamline the selection process and project unity at a time when the NDA’s majority hinges more than ever on the support of key allies like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal United (JDU).
The importance of this election cannot be overstated. As NDTV reports, the Vice Presidential poll is being widely viewed as the first major test of the NDA’s strength in its third consecutive term. Unlike the previous two terms, the BJP now finds itself walking a political tightrope—its majority in the Parliament is no longer assured by its own numbers but is instead heavily reliant on the continued allegiance of its coalition partners. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which had previously provided support in such elections, is now unlikely to back the BJP after being ousted from power in Odisha. This new dynamic injects a sense of unpredictability and urgency into the proceedings.
On the day of the Parliamentary Board meeting, Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other senior party leaders are expected to be present. The agenda is clear: select a Vice Presidential candidate who not only embodies the ideological core of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), but also sends a strong regional and social message. According to top sources within the party, the next Vice President is expected to be “from the ruling party; someone who is strongly associated with the ideology of the party and RSS—unlike in the case of Mr Dhankhar, who was chosen only to appeal to the Jat voters.” This signals a shift from the previous strategy, which prioritized electoral arithmetic over ideological alignment.
The selection process, however, is just the beginning. The BJP is planning a “mega huddle” of top NDA leaders on the day nominations are filed for the Vice Presidential election. As reported by The Federal and NDTV, this gathering will include all Union Ministers, Chief Ministers, and Deputy Chief Ministers from the NDA fold. The intention is to present a united front and demonstrate the alliance’s collective strength. Different sets of nomination papers will be prepared, with BJP allies acting as proposers and supporters, further cementing the image of coalition solidarity.
Meanwhile, in the run-up to the poll, all NDA Members of Parliament have been summoned for a Parliamentary Party meeting on August 19 as the Monsoon session resumes. Prime Minister Modi is expected to address the MPs in the Parliament auditorium, underscoring the gravity of the moment and rallying the troops for what is, in effect, a crucial test of loyalty and discipline. To ensure that every vote counts, the BJP is organizing a three-day workshop in the Parliament House to train MPs on the intricacies of voting in the Vice Presidential election. It’s a meticulous, almost military-style approach—one that reflects both the stakes involved and the party’s determination to leave nothing to chance.
But political theater aside, the NDA is also making overtures to the opposition in a bid to reach consensus on the Vice Presidential candidate. According to The Federal, “the government representatives will also reach out to the Opposition in a bid to reach a consensus on the Vice Presidential election. But it will be a mere formality as the Opposition has already made it clear that they would field their own candidate for the Vice Presidential election.” The opposition’s stance is unequivocal—they intend to contest the election, framing it as an opportunity to challenge the NDA on a national stage and highlight what they see as the ruling alliance’s vulnerabilities.
The context of this election is further complicated by the recent resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Officially, Dhankhar stepped down citing medical advice. However, as noted by both The Federal and NDTV, there is speculation that his departure was prompted by deeper differences with the party. Congress, for its part, has alleged that there were “far deeper reasons” behind his decision, though no concrete evidence has been made public. This episode has left a lingering sense of intrigue and has only heightened the stakes for the upcoming poll.
For the BJP, the stakes are particularly high. The party’s majority, once considered unassailable, now depends heavily on the goodwill and cooperation of its allies. The TDP and JDU, in particular, hold the keys to the NDA’s continued dominance. Any sign of dissent or defection could tip the balance, making the Vice Presidential election not just a matter of constitutional procedure, but a pivotal moment in the coalition’s future.
Meanwhile, the opposition is seizing the moment to press its own agenda. United over issues such as the voter list row and other key parliamentary disputes, they see the Vice Presidential election as a chance to “corner the government on all major issues,” as NDTV puts it. Their determination to field a candidate of their own, rather than acquiesce to the government’s choice, is a clear signal that they intend to make the most of this opportunity—both as a symbolic gesture and as a real test of parliamentary arithmetic.
As the date for the Vice Presidential poll draws nearer, all eyes will be on New Delhi. Will the NDA’s carefully choreographed display of unity hold, or will the cracks in the coalition begin to show? Can the BJP’s new candidate, steeped in party and RSS ideology, rally the alliance’s disparate elements and secure victory? Or will the opposition, emboldened by recent setbacks for the ruling party, manage to spring a surprise?
One thing is certain: the outcome of this election will reverberate far beyond the walls of Parliament. For the NDA, it is a test of cohesion and resolve. For the opposition, it is a chance to assert relevance and challenge the status quo. For the country, it is a moment to watch—one that could shape the contours of Indian politics for years to come.
