New Delhi: With the sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhikar on Monday, he is ready to start the race to choose his successor. The Constitution states that such vacancy should be “usually filled as soon as possible,” within six months.In the interim, Rajya Sabha Vice President Harivansh will preside over the upper house. However, this stopgap system is limited to parliamentary functions and does not provide the title or powers of a caretaker vice -president.Importantly, the successor will not only complete the remainder of Dhankhar’s tenure, but will start a full five -year term when assuming the post.The vice-president of India also serves as the former officer of the Rajya Sabha, which makes this transition particularly relevant before the next parliamentary session.How does the number pile up?The Vice President is elected by members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nomination members of the Upper House. And currently, NDA holds a comfortable lead.The current combined strength of both houses is at 786, Factoring in six vacancies – one in the Lok Sabha (Basirhat, West Bengal) and in five Rajya Sabha (four from Jammu and Kashmir and one from Punjab and one from Punjab, where AAP MP Sanjeev Arora stepped down after winning a state assembly last month).To win, a candidate should secure at least 394 votes, considering a complete voting.The BJP -led NDA is well deployed. It commands the support of 293 MPs in the 542 -member Lok Sabha and the support of 129 MPs (effective power: 240) in the Rajya Sabha, including potentially support from the enrolled members. This estimates a total of 422 votes to the ruling alliance – above the required majority.Under Article 68 (2) of the Constitution, an election to fill a vacancy in the Vice President’s office due to resignation, death, removal, or otherwise “as soon as possible”. The person elected will serve a full five -year term from the date of taking over the post.The Vice Presidential election follows the system of proportional representation through a single transferable vote and is held through secret voting, as determined in Article 66 (1). Voters rank candidates in order of preference.The Vice President is the second largest Constitutional Authority in India and also serves as the former officer of the Rajya Sabha. While the tenure is five years, the support continues until he takes the post of successor.The two -in -law, who took over in August 2022, suddenly resigned, citing health reasons on Monday. His resignation letter was presented to President Draupadi Murmu and immediately came into effect.(With PTI input)
