The intricate politics surrounding the election of India's next Vice President is unfolding. Following Jagdeep Dhankhar's unexpected resignation, the BJP is in pursuit of a candidate for the Vice Presidency to secure NDA allies' accord while harmoniously aligning political equations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National President JP Nadda will decide the NDA candidate for the Vice Presidential position on Tuesday.
This election coincides with the looming Bihar Assembly polls, and the resignation of Dhankhar has complicated the Jat equation. Moreover, there exists a continual challenge to balance the political scales of the North and the South. How will BJP stabilize these caste, regional and narrative equations?
BJP has convened a meeting on Tuesday to decide on the Vice Presidential candidate, with participation from prominent figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and JP Nadda among the senior party leaders. Recently, NDA leaders entrusted PM Modi and JP Nadda with selecting the Vice Presidential candidate. Sources suggest that BJP has shortlisted potential candidates, with an announcement expected from PM Modi and JP Nadda.
How Will BJP Achieve Political Stability?
How will BJP use the Vice Presidential elections to create political stability? The party struggles to align with the association regarding its national president, bringing an additional challenge. The RSS, while not wanting to interfere excessively with government operations, believes that individuals in senior positions should be dedicated to the party and its ideology. BJP must therefore manage consensus among its allies on this matter.
In the NDA meeting last Thursday, PM Modi and JP Nadda were tasked with selecting a Vice Presidential candidate. Following Jagdeep Dhankhar, BJP leadership aims to appoint someone ideologically committed to the association and party principles. BJP must seek such a figure.
Additionally, the candidate’s parliamentary experience, poised speech ability, and impartial image are valued traits. BJP aims to propose a candidate acceptable to allies and some opposition factions, enabling cross-voting that might disrupt opposition unity.
Will the Bihar Strategy Work Out?
As the Vice Presidential elections precede the Bihar Assembly polls set for September 9, and with Bihar election dates expected a month later, BJP faces the challenge of managing Bihar’s political equations. The party has never independently established government in Bihar.
Dhankhar’s resignation means the Vice Presidential role could become a political lifeline for the Bihar Assembly 2025. BJP intends to use the Vice Presidency as a stepping stone in Bihar's political waters, discussing many prospective names. Speculation involves candidates from upper castes to OBCs. The question is whether BJP will bet on a Bihar leader for the Vice Presidential role to navigate the Bihar elections.
Managing Jat Community Discontent
Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation from one of the country's top constitutional seats as Vice President has stirred the pot in Jat politics. Dhankhar hails from the Jat community and his selection was seen as BJP’s strategy to engage Jat communities nationwide.
The opposition has long tried to depict BJP as anti-Jat, leveraging the case of Satyapal Malik, a governor of several states. With Dhankhar's departure, BJP lacks a high-profile Jat representative. Farmers' leader Rakesh Tikait and Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra have accused BJP of neglecting the Jat community. Considering the circumstances, will the BJP make a significant move by nominating someone from the Jat community as Vice President?
Striking a Balance with Southern India
While BJP has fortified its political stance in North India, Southern India remains a challenging landscape politically. The party lacks a government of its own in any southern state, merely participating as an ally in Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry. As PM Modi and BJP President JP Nadda hail from North India, maintaining political balance with the South is a challenge, prompting speculation that BJP might opt for a leader from South India for the Vice Presidency.
With assembly elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu scheduled for 2026, where BJP has never established governance, supported by TDP at the center, BJP faces numerous political challenges. Will the party place trust in a Southern leader for the Vice Presidential election?
