Several senior leaders, including Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Kiren Rijiju, JP Nadda, and Chirag Paswan, cast their votes on Tuesday in the ongoing election to choose India’s 15th Vice President.
Speaking to ANI after voting, Chirag Paswan expressed confidence in NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan’s victory and suggested that even some Opposition MPs may support him. “NDA is united behind CP Radhakrishnan. Many Opposition MPs also trust him. If they listen to their conscience, he will win by a big margin,” he said.
Paswan also added that the NDA will fight the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections jointly, with seat-sharing details to be announced soon.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to cast his vote, followed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Ministers Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Pralhad Joshi. Former Prime Minister and JD(S) MP HD Deve Gowda also arrived in a wheelchair to exercise his franchise.
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh, who chaired the Upper House during the Monsoon Session after Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation as Vice President, too cast his ballot. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut was also among those who voted.
The contest is between NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan and joint Opposition nominee Justice (Retd.) B Sudershan Reddy. Counting of votes is scheduled for Tuesday evening.
