BJP likely to pick its VP candidate today. A look at BJP's probable candidates

BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Parliamentary Board is set to meet today, to decide its nominee for the upcoming vice-presidential election, according to a report by news agency ANI citing sources. A formal announcement in this regard is expected on Monday.

The meeting comes days after the Election Commission announced the September 9 Vice-Presidential poll, triggered by the resignation of incumbent Jagdeep Dhankhar on 4 August, citing medical reasons. Dhankhar’s sudden exit has fuelled political speculation, with murmurs of other possible factors behind his departure.

Last week, floor leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance met at Parliament, and authorised PM Narendra Modi and Rajya Sabha Leader of the House JP Nadda to finalise the alliance candidate for the Vice President’s elections.

NDTV citing sources, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, Sikkim Governor Om Mathur, and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha are also among the probable candidates for the election that is scheduled to be held on September 9.

Several governors and lieutenant governors met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the last one month, NDTV reported citing sources.

The candidature of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue Seshadri Chari is also under discussion, the same publication reported. Besides, current Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh is being considered as a nominee, taking into consideration the upcoming Bihar elections, even though BJP leaders earlier made it clear that the next Vice President will be from their party and someone who is strongly associated with the ideology of the party and the RSS.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has reportedly authorised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president J P Nadda to pick the ruling bloc's candidate. The vice president is elected by the members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, with nominated members of the Upper House also eligible to vote.

The exit of Dhankar, which took place on the first day of the Monsoon Session, came as a surprise to many. But BJP leaders said that the fallout was brewing for a while. Dhankar has been taking decisions on his own for a while, and the final straw came when he allowed for a motion of impeachment against Justice Yashwant Verma by the Opposition.