The Vice-Presidential election held on Monday saw three regional parties, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) – abstain from voting, reported The Hindu ( https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bjd-brs-akali-dal-to-abstain-from-vice-presidential-election/article70027123.ece ). While the NDA had the numbers on its side, the decision of these parties added a layer of political significance to the poll.
The Election
The election was conducted following the resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The contest was between C.P. Radhakrishnan, the NDA candidate, and Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, fielded by the INDIA bloc. A total of 781 MPs formed the electoral college, with 391 required for a majority. The NDA was comfortably placed with the support of over 425 MPs.
Reasons Behind Abstention
- BJD (Odisha): The party reiterated its policy of staying “equidistant” from both the NDA and INDIA bloc, stressing its independent position and focus on Odisha’s interests.
- BRS (Telangana): The party cited the ongoing urea shortage and the agrarian crisis in Telangana as its reason for staying away, accusing both state and central governments of failing farmers.
- SAD (Punjab): The Akali Dal abstained in protest against inadequate relief for Punjab after recent floods, pointing to neglect by both the Centre and the state government.
Numbers and Impact
Though the three parties together account for just a dozen MPs, their abstention carried symbolic value. The move highlighted their bid to draw attention to state-specific issues while distancing themselves from national political blocs.
Outcome
The NDA’s candidate, C.P. Radhakrishnan, was expected to sail through with ease given the alliance’s strength in both Houses of Parliament. The abstentions, however, ensured that the election was not just a contest of numbers but also a moment of political messaging from key regional players.
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