Jagdeep Dhankhar resignation: How will BJP pick next VP?

The resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar has created a vacancy for the post of Vice President, for which elections are imminent. While the government has the majority to get its candidate elected, politically it presents an opportunity for the opposition to force a contest. This election may also be seen as a test of opposition unity.

Depending on the schedule, the Election Commission of India will now issue a notification for the election of a new Vice President, even though the constitution mandates polls as soon as possible.

The electoral college for the Vice President comprises members of both Houses of Parliament. In the last two vice-presidential polls, the opposition fielded Gopal Gandhi against Venkaiah Naidu in 2017 and Margaret Alva against Dhankhar in 2022.

Currently, several names are doing the rounds as potential candidates. Various reports have cited the name of Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh as a likely contender. Though supported by the BJP, he does not belong to the saffron fold. Dhankhar too was a relatively late entrant to the BJP, joining the party in 2003. However, he was close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and belonged to the Jat community. The party nominated him after he made a name for himself as Governor of West Bengal.

Following past precedents, the party may back a veteran leader with a strong ideological leaning. If someone from the current pool of governors is to be picked, the party may consider Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, among others.

This vacancy has also provided an opportunity for the party to reward a senior leader, especially as there is a push for generational change following the election of the new party president. While the BJP will take its time, it is also expected to align changes in the Union Cabinet with the new leadership.

The BJP has used constitutional posts in the past to send larger political messages — for instance, nominating a Dalit and later a tribal leader as President. Hence, someone from the upper-caste background may be considered this time, especially since the President currently belongs to the tribal community.

As it has been observed that running both Houses of Parliament requires experience and authority, the party would also keep this in mind, ensuring that the person appointed is capable of managing the Rajya Sabha.

In the coming days, as discussion take place within the BJP and Sangh more names may come up for consideration. Political strategy may also dictate that the Vice Presidential election does not clash with the Bihar assembly polls, so that the two do not merge into a common political campaign theme.

India