As the high-stakes vice-presidential election approaches on September 9, opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc are intensifying preparations with a mock poll and a strategic dinner hosted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday. The election, pitting NDA’s C P Radhakrishnan against opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy, is being framed as an ideological battle, despite the ruling coalition’s numerical advantage in the 788-member electoral college.

On Monday at 2:30 PM, opposition MPs will gather in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan for a briefing on voting procedures, followed by a mock poll to ensure readiness for the contest. Later, at 7:30 PM, Kharge will host a dinner at the Parliament annexe to rally opposition unity and strategize for the election. The moves underscore the bloc’s determination to challenge the NDA’s dominance and promote Reddy as a champion of justice.

Radhakrishnan, a BJP veteran and current Maharashtra governor from Tamil Nadu, faces Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge from Telangana known for landmark rulings. Reddy, 79, gained prominence for criticizing the Union government’s lax approach to black-money cases and declaring Chhattisgarh’s Salwa Judum anti-Naxal initiative unconstitutional. He also ordered the formation of a special investigation team to repatriate unaccounted wealth stashed abroad and led Telangana’s caste survey, earning accolades as a defender of social and economic justice.

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The election, overseen by Rajya Sabha Secretary General P C Mody, will take place in Room No. F-101, Vasudha, Parliament House, from 10 AM to 5 PM on Tuesday, with vote counting starting at 6 PM and results announced immediately after. The electoral college comprises 781 members, including 233 elected and 12 nominated Rajya Sabha members, and 543 elected Lok Sabha members, with some seats vacant.

The opposition is leveraging Reddy’s judicial legacy to contrast with Radhakrishnan’s political background, framing the contest as a clash of values. While the NDA holds a clear edge, the INDIA bloc aims to make a strong statement, highlighting issues of governance and accountability. Kharge’s dinner and the mock poll reflect a concerted effort to galvanize support and ensure a disciplined voting process, setting the stage for a fierce ideological showdown in India’s 17th vice-presidential election.

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