BJP parliamentary board to meet on Monday to decide vice presidential candidate

The electoral college for the election consists of 790 MPs of the two chambers of Parliament.

The BJP parliamentary board would meet on Monday to pick the ruling NDA’s vice presidential candidate. A parliamentary board member said the meeting is expected on Monday evening.

NDA presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, veteran leaders L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi going to file his nomination papers in Parliament in New Delhi, India, on Friday, June 23, 2017. (Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times)

An alliance of 18 opposition parties, including the Congress, has already announced Gopalkrishna Gandhi as its candidate for vice presidential poll scheduled for August 5.

July 18 is the last date for filing of nominations.

The electoral college for the election consists of 790 MPs of the two chambers of Parliament.

The ruling bloc enjoys an overwhelming majority in the electoral college and BJP has expressed confidence about garnering anywhere between 500 and 550 votes.