India's Vice Presidential Battle: Strategic Abstentions and a Decisive Victory

In a significant political spectacle that underscored the intricate dynamics of Indian parliamentary democracy, Jagdeep Dhankhar emerged victorious in the race for India's Vice President. His commanding win, however, was cast against a backdrop of strategic abstentions by key opposition parties, revealing the fissures within the anti-establishment camp and setting a clear tone for future political alignments.

Dhankhar, the candidate backed by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), secured a decisive mandate, garnering 528 votes.

His opponent, the seasoned politician Margaret Alva, who was the joint opposition candidate, managed to secure 182 votes. The election saw a total of 725 votes polled from an electoral college of 780 Members of Parliament, with 15 votes regrettably declared invalid, further highlighting the precision required in parliamentary procedures.

The most striking feature of this Vice Presidential election was the collective decision of three prominent parties to abstain from voting: the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

This move, particularly by the TMC, sent ripples across the political landscape, raising questions about opposition unity.

The Trinamool Congress, with its 36 MPs (23 in Lok Sabha and 13 in Rajya Sabha), had publicly announced its decision to abstain. The party’s rationale, articulated by its leadership, stemmed from a perceived lack of consultation and transparency in the selection process of the opposition’s candidate, Margaret Alva.

They asserted that they were not properly engaged before the candidate was announced, and therefore, could neither support the NDA candidate nor the opposition's choice under such circumstances. While the party decided to abstain, it's noteworthy that eight of their MPs were among the 12 parliamentarians who did not cast a vote at all during the election process, a detail that further complicated the narrative of collective party action.

Joining the TMC in abstention were the Aam Aadmi Party, with its 10 MPs (3 in Lok Sabha and 7 in Rajya Sabha), and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, holding 3 MPs (2 in Lok Sabha and 1 in Rajya Sabha).

Their combined abstention accounted for a significant bloc of votes that could have potentially altered the final tally, although not the overall outcome, given Dhankhar's strong position.

Beyond the abstentions, a total of 12 MPs across various parties were unable to cast their votes. This group included eight Trinamool Congress MPs, two from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), one from the Shiv Sena, and one from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

Among the notable figures who missed voting due to health reasons or hospitalization were Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and BJP MP Sanjay Dhotre, underscoring the personal circumstances that can impact electoral participation even at the highest levels.

Jagdeep Dhankhar's ascension to the Vice Presidency means he will also assume the crucial role of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

His victory, bolstered by the strategic choices of abstaining parties, highlights the NDA's formidable electoral strength and the challenges faced by a fractured opposition in presenting a united front. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of these abstentions will undoubtedly be debated, offering valuable insights into the strategies and alliances shaping India's parliamentary future.