NDA Authorises Modi and Nadda to Select Vice-Presidential Candidate
Leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have passed a unanimous resolution authorising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President J.P. Nadda to select the alliance's candidate for the upcoming vice-presidential election on September 9. The decision was made at a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The move centralizes the selection process and underscores the BJP's dominance within the coalition, with the chosen candidate expected to be announced around August 12.
Unpacked:
The vice-presidential election is being held earlier than scheduled because Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the position on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons. His term was originally set to end in August 2027, but his resignation triggered a mandatory mid-term election as per constitutional requirements.
The vice president is elected by an Electoral College consisting of the elected and nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and the elected members of the Lok Sabha. The election is conducted by secret ballot using the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
By authorizing Prime Minister Modi and BJP President Nadda to pick the alliance’s candidate, the NDA is centralizing decision-making and highlighting the BJP’s dominant role within the coalition, signaling that other alliance partners are deferring to the BJP’s leadership on key political decisions.
The last date to file nominations is August 21, 2025. Nominations will be scrutinized on August 22, and candidates can withdraw until August 25. Nomination papers can be submitted at Parliament House, New Delhi, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on working days. If required, polling will be held on September 9, 2025.