Hyderabad: Dr. K. Laxman, a prominent BJP leader from Telangana and a Rajya Sabha member from Uttar Pradesh, is being seriously considered as a candidate by the NDA. As the National President of the BJP OBC Morcha and a key member of the party’s parliamentary board, his influence is significant. Dr. Laxman is a strong advocate for backward classes and frequently criticizes the Congress and its policies, making him a strategic political choice. This comes amid ongoing tensions between the NDA and the Congress-led INDIA bloc over the BC caste census.
The race for Vice-President intensified after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned from his trips to the UK and the Maldives. The party is seeking a suitable leader for the Rajya Sabha and has prepared a list of potential candidates. This list was shared with the RSS, but no final decision has been made, according to party insiders.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the process for electing India’s second-highest constitutional post. Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody is appointed as the Returning Officer, while Garima Jain and Vijay Kumar serve as Assistant Returning Officers, marking the start of the election.
Sources reveal that Dr. K. Laxman, a first-time Rajya Sabha MP from a backward class, is among the candidates being considered. Other potential candidates include Union Minister of State for Agriculture Ram Nath Thakur, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh, outgoing BJP national president and Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, and Tiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor.
A senior BJP leader stated that to win, the Vice-President candidate needs 394 votes, with the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha having a combined strength of 786. The BJP-NDA currently holds 422 votes, compared to the INDIA bloc’s 312, making the NDA’s candidate likely to win. The sudden resignation of former Vice-President Dhankar stirred political circles and provided the opposition with a tool to challenge the ruling party.
With the NDA’s parliamentary dominance and strategic candidate selection, the Vice Presidential election is set to reinforce the BJP’s institutional control. The official schedule is expected soon, setting the stage for a significant constitutional battle.
