NEW DELHI: The opposition’s INDIA bloc has decided to field a joint candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge reaching out to allies to discuss potential names and forge a consensus. According to news agency PTI, sources within the bloc say there is a strong view that they should not shy away from a contest, regardless of the outcome, in order to send a firm political message.Although no structured discussions have yet taken place, backchannel talks are underway among partners. While most members agree on presenting a united front, some in the opposition camp feel it would be wise to announce their pick after the BJP names its nominee.The move comes amid a renewed show of unity among INDIA bloc parties, who have recently pledged to challenge the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and to resist what they allege is the BJP–Election Commission’s “vote chori model”. On Thursday, top leaders from 25 opposition parties attended a dinner meeting hosted by Rahul Gandhi, their first in-person gathering since June 2024, when they met soon after the Lok Sabha elections at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence.At the meeting, Gandhi made a presentation outlining his claims of large-scale voter list manipulation.Those present included Sonia Gandhi, NCP–SP chief Sharad Pawar, NC leader Farooq Abdullah, PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti, SP’s Akhilesh Yadav, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva and T R Baalu, CPI(M)’s M A Baby, CPI’s D Raja, CPI(ML)’s Dipankar Bhattacharya and MNM chief Kamal Haasan, among others.Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal described it as one of the bloc’s “most successful” meetings, though he said there was “not much discussion” on the vice-presidential election itself. Kharge is also set to host another dinner for INDIA bloc MPs on Monday.The vice-presidential race was triggered after Jagdeep Dhankhar unexpectedly resigned on 4 August, citing medical reasons, though political murmurs suggest other possible factors. The vice-president is elected by all members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated MPs. The combined strength of both Houses is 781, meaning a candidate will need 391 votes to win if all members vote. With around 422 MPs, the NDA currently has the numbers on its side.The Election Commission issued its notification for the 9 September poll last Thursday. The last date for filing nominations is 21 August, scrutiny will be held on 22 August, and withdrawals will be allowed until 25 August. Three nominations have already been filed but were rejected for procedural lapses.Under constitutional provisions, a vice-president elected mid-term serves a full five-year term. Candidates must be Indian citizens aged at least 35 and eligible for election to the Rajya Sabha, and cannot hold an office of profit under the central or state governments or any local authority.
