The Election Commission of India (ECI) commenced the process of electing a new Vice President on July 23 after Jagdeep Dhankar resigned from his post on Monday evening “to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice”.
The ECI is yet to announce the poll schedule but it must conduct the poll within 60 days — with India getting a new Vice President by September 19. Dhankar’s resignation has sparked speculations about his potential successor with several names reportedly in the fray.
Harivansh Narayan Singh
Harivansh Narayan Singh is one of the frontrunners for the post. Singh, a Janata Dal (United) MP who has served as the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha since 2020, will take up the role of interim chair of Rajya Sabha until a new VP is elected.
Ram Nath Thakur
Another possible candidate is Ram Nath Thakur, Minister of State for Agriculture and son of former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur.
According to reports, BJP president JP Nadda allegedly met Thakur on Wednesday, two days after Dhankar resigned.
Nitish Kumar
RJD MLA Mukesh Roshan claimed on Tuesday that Dhankar had stepped down to make way for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ahead of the state assembly elections. Kumar's name has made waves with reports of him stepping down as the Bihar CM also making rounds.
Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s name has also been floating as a probable frontrunner for the post. His name was also in the fray when the elections were held for the post in 2022.
Manoj Sinha
Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir is set to complete his tenure in August. Singh has been a key asset to the BJP, having previously served as a Union Minister.
Shashi Tharoor
Tharoor’s candidature, especially after a potential rift with the Congress leadership during Operation Sindoor, has been bolstered.
Other names including Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and BJP president JP Nadda have also emerged as contenders.
