Who Will Replace Jagdeep Dhankhar as India’s Next Vice President?
BJP’s Search for the Right Candidate Ahead of September 2025 Election
India is preparing for another crucial political decision as the term of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar comes to an abrupt end, setting the stage for the vice-presidential election scheduled on September 9, 2025. With the Election Commission already releasing the timetable for nominations, scrutiny, and voting, the spotlight has now shifted to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), who are tasked with finalizing the ruling bloc’s candidate.
The decision is not just about filling a constitutional post—it also reflects the BJP’s long-term strategy, coalition management, and the balancing of diverse political and regional interests.
The Election Timeline
The Election Commission of India has outlined the following schedule for the vice-presidential polls:
- Notification issued: August 7, 2025
- Last date for nominations: August 21, 2025
- Scrutiny of nominations: August 22, 2025
- Withdrawal of candidature: August 25, 2025
- Polling and results: September 9, 2025
The new Vice President will assume one of the most significant roles in India’s constitutional framework, doubling as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha and playing a decisive role in parliamentary proceedings.
BJP’s Selection Strategy
The NDA has authorised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President J.P. Nadda to finalise the alliance’s nominee. Sources indicate that this time, the ruling party is treading carefully—consulting its allies, engaging with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and weighing the lessons learned from past appointments.
The BJP’s leadership wants a candidate who not only brings administrative and political experience but also strengthens the NDA’s broader electoral and regional equations.
The Probable Candidates
Several names have been floated in political and media circles. The list of BJP’s likely choices includes seasoned administrators, governors, and party veterans:
- V. K. Saxena – The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, seen as an administrator close to the BJP leadership.
- Arif Mohammad Khan – Currently Governor of Bihar and formerly of Kerala, Khan is known for his reformist positions on sensitive issues like the Shah Bano case.
- Thawar Chand Gehlot – Governor of Karnataka and a prominent Dalit leader who earlier served as a Union minister.
- Acharya Devvrat – Governor of Gujarat, with strong RSS backing.
- Om Mathur – Governor of Sikkim and a veteran BJP strategist.
- Manoj Sinha – Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, respected for his calm handling of sensitive governance in the Union Territory.
- Seshadri Chari – RSS ideologue and commentator, representing the intellectual wing of the Sangh.
- Harivansh Narayan Singh – Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, with parliamentary experience that makes him a natural contender.
Beyond BJP insiders, some allied names have also surfaced:
- Nitish Kumar – Chief Minister of Bihar and leader of JD(U), whose candidature could solidify NDA’s alliance in Bihar and beyond.
- Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vasundhara Raje, Rajnath Singh, J.P. Nadda, and others have been mentioned in political chatter, though their chances appear slimmer compared to governors and constitutional office-holders.
Why This Decision Matters
The choice of vice-presidential candidate carries weight far beyond the ceremonial. The Vice President plays a crucial role in managing Rajya Sabha debates, steering legislative discussions, and occasionally breaking deadlocks in India’s upper house.
For the BJP, the selection is also an opportunity to:
- Balance regional representation by rewarding leaders from key states such as Bihar, Gujarat, and Karnataka.
- Address community equations by considering candidates from minority or Dalit backgrounds.
- Strengthen NDA cohesion by accommodating allies like JD(U).
- Demonstrate ideological alignment with the RSS while maintaining electoral pragmatism.
The BJP is expected to announce its nominee before the August 21 deadline for nominations. Until then, speculation will continue, with party insiders suggesting that the final pick will reflect both political strategy and constitutional suitability.
One thing is certain: the upcoming election will not only decide who sits in the Rajya Sabha chair but will also offer a glimpse into the BJP’s political roadmap for the years ahead.
✅ Call to Action: Stay tuned as India’s political landscape unfolds in the coming weeks. The choice of the next Vice President could shape not just parliamentary proceedings but also signal the ruling party’s vision for governance and coalition politics.
About The Author
