VP's election

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- PANKAJ VOHRA

With the Election Commission declaring the schedule for the election of the new Vice President, speculation has commenced on who the next incumbent would be of this constitutional position. It was being said that since there was no time bar on this particular election, the matter may get delayed, with the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha serving as the principal presiding officer of the Upper House.

However, the announcement of the election indicates that the BJP is determined to have the new Vice President soon, in order to end any kind of conjectures regarding the issue. There are many political analysts who are linking the selection of the new VP to the decision on the next BJP chief as well.

It is common knowledge that the extended tenure of J.P. Nadda, the sitting BJP president is to end soon, and if his successor has not been chosen, it is primarily because the party leadership and the RSS have not been able to agree on a single name. Multiple names have been thrown in the public domain, but one by one, they have disappeared because of lack of consensus.

It is paramount for the BJP to have its nominee as the next Vice President, to send down a clear message in political circles regarding its absolute say in this matter. The Vice President's role becomes critical because of his being the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The former VP, Jagdeep Dhankhar, during his tenure was accused of infringing the norms of the august House by speaking on every issue, as well as taking sides.