New Delhi, Sep 8: Ahead of the crucial Vice Presidential election scheduled for September 9, Opposition Members of Parliament will attend a mock poll exercise on Monday in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan around 2:30 P.M., aimed at familiarising MPs with the procedure to ensure smooth and error-free voting.
This year’s Vice Presidential contest is a direct face-off between NDA nominee C.P. Radhakrishnan and the Opposition’s joint candidate, Justice (Retd.) B. Sudershan Reddy. Notably, both contenders hail from southern India, Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu and Justice Reddy from Telangana, adding a regional dimension to the race. The election, although expected to favour the ruling NDA due to its numerical advantage in Parliament, is being hailed by the Opposition as a symbolic ideological battle. Justice Reddy, 79, is a retired Supreme Court judge known for delivering landmark rulings, including strong rebukes to the Union government over inaction in black money investigations and the declaration of Salwa Judum as unconstitutional. On the other hand, Radhakrishnan is a seasoned BJP leader with RSS roots who currently serves as the Governor of Maharashtra. According to Rajya Sabha Secretary General P.C. Mody, who is serving as the Returning Officer for the election, voting will take place in Room No. F-101, Vasudha, Parliament House, on Tuesday, September 9. Polling is scheduled to begin at 10 A.M. and will close at 5 P.M.