Mystery Over Next Vice President Continues: 3 Probable Contenders in the Running

Mystery Over Next Vice President Continues: Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice President of India on Monday evening “to take care of health and follow medical advice”. The surprise announcement came on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament — hours after he adjourned the Rajya Sabha.

His exit has set the stage for a mandatory election with several top politicians in the fray for the second highest constitutional post. The Election Commission of India has to conduct the poll within 60 days — India will get a new Vice President by September 19.

As per the Constitution, the election to the post has to be held “as soon as possible”. Though the election has not been announced yet, many names are already doing the rounds for the next Vice President.

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Here are a few names, not in order of probability, of who could replace Jagdeep Dhankhar and become the next Vice President of India.

Nitish Kumar may seem the most unlikely candidate but the speculation refuses to die down. Many including NDA allies like Upendra Kushwaha have suggested that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar step down as CM to make way for the next generation. Supporting that theory is the fact that Union minister Chirag Paswan has announced that he will contest the Bihar election. Could the VP role be the honourable exit for the longest serving CM?

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While the Delhi lieutenant governor has been in his job for just three years, there has been talk for some time now about him moving out for a “bigger assignment”. VK Saxena, a former corporate man, played a major role in Delhi politics by apparently blocking administrative moves of the AAP government. From appointments to policies about the Delhi Jal Board, Saxena was a roadblock for chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. This was eventually seen as one of the reasons that cost Kejriwal in the perception battle.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh — who took over the House from Dhankhar on Tuesday — is also in the fray. He is close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top brass and is seen as the obvious choice. Two Union Ministers — Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister JP Nadda — are also being considered. But the BJP has a history of choosing dark horses and there is no official word on their nominee yet.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has also emerged as a dark horse with many on social media speculating about him. The Thiruvananthapuram MP has been in the news for his proximity to the Modi government and has repeatedly backed its initiatives. Tharoor had also led a government outreach team after Operation Sindoor and has clashed with Congress leaders over his loyalties.

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