Shashi Tharoor was asked who he believes would be the next Vice-President of India, to which the senior Congress leader replied that he has no clue about who will replace Jagdeep Dhankhar as the next VP.
Vice President Election: Its been nearly two weeks after Jagdeep Dhankhar abruptly stepped down as the Vice President of India, triggering speculations and predictions about who will succeed him on the country’s second-most important constitutional post. On this note, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also shared his opinion about the matter, which has irked the party’s top brass.
What did Shashi Tharoor say?
Talking to reporters, Shashi Tharoor was asked who he believes would be the next Vice-President of India, to which the senior Congress leader replied that he has no clue about who will replace Dhankhar as the next VP, but stated that whoever will occupy the top post will be someone nominated by the ruling party, aka the BJP.
Notably, akin to the President of India, the Vice President is not directly elected by the people, but via an indirect election conducted by an electoral college which comprises of elected as well as nominated both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The MPs are not bound by any party whip.
The voting is held via a secret ballot, and employs the single transferable vote system of proportional representation to elect the Vice President of India.
Why Tharoor’s statement angered Congress?
Shashi Tharoor, known for speaking his mind often disregarding the party’s views, said that he has no idea as to who will be the next Vice President of the country, but said it was certain that the ruling NDA will decide the fate of the post, hinting that the opposition does not stand a chance in the Vice-Presidential election as they do not have the numbers.
Tharoor noted that the ruling party candidate will be elected as the next VP because only members of Parliament are allowed to vote in the VP election. “Everyone knows who has the majority in both Houses. State assemblies do not take part in the election, so the result is almost certain.
Jagdeep Dhankhar resignation
Jagdeep Dhankhar, the 14th Vice President of India, tendered his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu on the evening of July 21 last month, citing health concerns. Dhankhar, who had assumed office on August 11, 2022 replacing M Venkaiah Naidu, had two years left in his term when he stepped down from the post.
When will VP elections be held?
Following his resignation. Election Commission of India (ECI) has begun the process to elect his successor, who will enjoy a full five-year term from the date of assuming office as the country’s second most important constitutional figure after the President.
The ECI will issue the notification for the Vice Presidential election on August 7, and August 21 will be the last date for filing nomination papers. Polls will be held on September 9 via secret ballot and results will be declared on the same day.
