India to get new Vice President today: India set to get new Vice President: Dhankhar-Alva face-off predictable| Top 10

Vice Presidential Elections: Both members of Parliament are set to vote in the VP polls.

Updated on: Aug 6, 2022, 08:41:43 IST

By HT News Desk | Edited by Swati Bhasin, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

More than a week after India got its first tribal woman President with Droupadi Murmu taking charge, the country is set to get its new Vice President on Saturday. Jagdeep Dhankhar, who has served previously as Bengal’s governor, is backed by the ruling NDA. He is facing Margaret Alva, backed by the opposition. Alva, however, won’t be a tough challenge for Jagdeep Dhankhar as numbers favour him. The votes will be counted later in the day.

Vice president candidates Margaret Alva and Jagdeep Dhankar in file pic.

Here are ten points on the Vice Presidential Elections 2022:

1. Members of both the houses of Parliament are set to vote in the vice presidential elections on Saturday. The voting will be held between 10 am and 5 pm and counting of votes will take place later in the day.

2. The NDA alone has 394 of 780 total votes in the electoral college of VP elections, which is above the halfway mark of 391. The tally is said to be passing the 500-mark with allies and supporting parties included. This sets the path for a smooth win for Dhankhar.

3. Ruptures in the opposition yet again have further hurt Margaret Alva’s chances. Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress - which is one of the largest opposition parties in Rajya Sabha - has said it would abstain from voting.

4. Dhankhar, who has served as Bengal’s governor, had his tenure marked with constant sparring with Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress.

5. After supporting Murmu in the Presidential polls, Andhra Pradesh’s ruling YSRCP, Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party BSP, and Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal are again backing the NDA candidate.

6. On the eve of the VP polls, Alva in a tweet wrote: “MPs fight great electoral battles to gain entry to the Temple of Democracy - our Parliament. Each of them is a hero, worthy of our respect. Each a unique voice, that deserves to be heard. I believe when these powerful voices are given expression, great things can be achieved. (sic)”

7. “I have been a member of both houses of Parlament,” said the 5-time MP in a video message, adding: “If Parliament is to function effectively, MPs, independent of their parties, must find ways to rebuild trust and restore broken communication amongst each other. In the end, it is the MPs who determine the character of our Parliament.”

8. Meanwhile, Dhankhar held a series of courtesy meetings ahead of the crucial polls with several MPs, including Gautam Gambhir.

9. India’s 14th Vice President will take oath on August 14, a day after current VP Venkaiah Naidu’s term ends.

10. The presidential and vice presidential elections and building a consensus of candidates have also served as a test of opposition unity ahead of the critical 2024 polls.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.