NDA likely to announce Vice President candidate next week

The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is expected to announce its candidate for the Vice President’s election by early next week. Reports indicate that the government may declare its choice on August 12, though Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sources did not independently confirm the development to CNBC-TV18.

The NDA Parliamentary Party held a floor members’ meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, August 7, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Senior leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, and other party members, were present at the meeting.

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Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nadda would decide the alliance’s Vice Presidential candidate.

“In the meeting, it was unanimously decided that the NDA has authorised the Prime Minister and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, JP Nadda ji, to initiate the process, including the selection of the candidate. The decision and the course taken by the Prime Minister will be accepted by all NDA parties,” Rijiju told reporters at a press briefing, according to news agency PTI.

The Vice President’s election is scheduled for September 9, following the resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar last month, who stepped down citing health concerns.