Following Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation from the post of Vice President last month citing health reasons, political activity around the upcoming election has intensified. The opposition has begun strategizing its next move, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge spearheading efforts to present a united front under the I.N.D.I.A bloc.
Kharge is actively engaging with leaders of allied opposition parties to build consensus on a joint candidate. Party insiders believe that contesting the election, regardless of the outcome, would send a strong political message and further consolidate unity within the alliance.
According to the Election Commission’s notification issued last Thursday, the Vice Presidential election will be held on September 9. The deadline for filing nominations is August 21, with scrutiny scheduled for August 22. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until August 25. The poll was triggered by Dhankhar’s sudden resignation on July 21, a move that has fueled speculation about reasons beyond his stated health concerns.
While no formal decision has been made regarding a candidate, sources confirm that discreet discussions are underway among I.N.D.I.A partners. Kharge is working behind the scenes to ensure a unanimous choice, though some within the bloc suggest waiting for the BJP to announce its nominee before finalizing their own.
The development comes at a time when coordination within the I.N.D.I.A alliance has strengthened. In a recent show of unity, top leaders met over dinner at Rahul Gandhi’s residence, reaffirming their commitment to challenge alleged electoral malpractices and oppose the BJP’s voter list revision model in Bihar. This was the first high-level opposition gathering since their post-Lok Sabha election meeting in June 2024 at Kharge’s residence.
With the Vice President’s post vacant and political stakes high, all eyes are now on whether the opposition’s united approach will translate into a formidable challenge for the NDA in September’s election.