Preparations are in the final stages for India's 15th Vice-Presidential election. From the NDA, Om Mathur, Ghanshyam Tiwari, and Thawar Chand Gehlot are the leading contenders. The opposition is also trying to field a joint candidate. The Election Commission will announce the date soon, making the political equations even more interesting.
Rajasthan: Preparations for India's 15th Vice-Presidential election have now reached a crucial stage. Following Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation from his post, this constitutional position has become vacant, and the Election Commission is finalizing the framework for the upcoming election. The NDA alliance has also begun intensive deliberations on its potential candidates, with the names of two prominent leaders from Rajasthan—Om Mathur and Ghanshyam Tiwari—leading the pack.
Significance of the Vice-Presidential Post
India's Vice-President is not only the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) but also assumes the responsibility of acting as President in the absence of the President. Therefore, this position requires an experienced, balanced, and ideologically b leader. The NDA's effort is to choose a face that can strike a political balance, keeping in mind the upcoming Lok Sabha elections (General Elections) and the state assembly elections.
Why Did These Names Emerge from Rajasthan?
Rajasthan has always been an important state for the BJP, and its political influence extends to neighboring states – Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana. This time, two names are under discussion:
1. Om Mathur
Currently, he is the Governor of Sikkim. He has held organizational responsibilities in the Rajasthan BJP for a long time. He is considered close to Prime Minister Modi and has worked as a party strategist at the national level.
2. Ghanshyam Tiwari
Currently, he is a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and met with Prime Minister Modi with his entire family just a day ago. This meeting is considered to be laden with political implications. Tiwari's long administrative experience and clarity in ideology make him a b candidate. Both leaders come from a Sangh (RSS) background, which makes them ideologically aligned with the NDA's priorities.
What is the Opposition's Strategy?
Although the NDA has a majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, the opposition is also in the mood to field a candidate. As in the past, efforts are underway to bring a joint candidate between the Congress and other opposition parties. In the previous Presidential election, Yashwant Sinha was made the opposition's candidate, while in the previous Vice-Presidential election, Margaret Alva contested against NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar. This time too, Congress, Trinamool, Samajwadi Party, and other regional parties may bring forward a prominent face so that the BJP does not get a one-sided victory.
Thawar Chand Gehlot is also in the Race
Apart from Rajasthan, the name of Thawar Chand Gehlot, a senior leader from Madhya Pradesh and the current Governor of Karnataka, is also among the potential contenders. He comes from the Dalit community and has been a minister in the Ministry of Social Justice. Gehlot, a resident of Ujjain, is also believed to have influence in the tribal areas of southern Rajasthan. In such a situation, his name may be in line with the BJP's strategy of achieving social balance.
The Bihar Factor Also Exists
Political analysts believe that since the assembly elections in Bihar are approaching soon, the BJP may entrust the responsibility of the Vice-President to a major Bihar leader in order to influence the caste and political equations there. But these two names from Rajasthan have further complicated the equations.
Election Commission's Preparations in Final Stage
The Election Commission has started finalizing the appointment of the Returning Officer for the Vice-Presidential election, the voting process, and the necessary documents. It is believed that the dates of the election will be officially announced in the next few days. Immediately after that, the NDA may announce the name of its candidate.
