Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, will host a dinner for INDIA bloc MPs on Monday evening at the Parliament annexe, a day before the Vice-Presidential election.
The gathering aims to reinforce opposition unity and support for their candidate, Justice (Retd.) B Sudershan Reddy, who has also secured backing from AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi. “@TelanganaCMO spoke to me today and requested that we support Justice Sudershan Reddy as Vice President. @aimim_national will extend its support to Justice Reddy, a fellow Hyderabadi and a respected jurist,” Owaisi wrote on X.
The election, scheduled for September 9, will see a contest between Justice Reddy, backed by the INDIA bloc, and the NDA’s nominee, CP Radhakrishnan.
The Vice Presidential office fell vacant after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, citing health reasons. The VP is chosen through an electoral college comprising members of both Houses of Parliament, under Articles 64 and 68 of the Constitution. The election follows a proportional representation system with single transferable votes, conducted by secret ballot as per Article 66(1).
Meanwhile, the BJP has mobilised its MPs ahead of the polls. Party president JP Nadda hosted a dinner on September 6, followed by a two-day workshop for MPs at the Parliament complex. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also host a dinner for NDA MPs on September 8.
