Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: CP Radhakrishnan, the candidate nominated by the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), was elected as the 15th Vice President of India. He polled 452 votes to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) candidate, former Justice Sudarshan Reddy’s 300. The winner surpassed the quota to decide victory, which was set as 377, underscoring the NDA’s parliamentary majority and coalition discipline.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 767 votes were polled, out of which 752 were found valid and 15 were invalid. According to Rajya Sabha Secretary-General PC Mody, the returning officer, polling was held in Room No. F-101, Vasudha, Parliament House, between 10 am and 5 pm.
There was brisk voting with 96 per cent of MPs casting their ballot. Among them, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to exercise his franchise. Earlier, PM Modi was accompanied by Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Arjun Ram Meghwal. Among other Union Ministers who cast their votes in the Vice-Presidential election were Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Nitin Gadkari. MPs such as former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda (age 92), Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those who voted during the process.
