Opposition leaders on Tuesday lamented that the abstention of parties like the BRS weakened support for their candidate, B Sudershan Reddy. They accused the BRS of double standards, noting its refusal to back a South Indian nominee.
While Reddy appealed for a conscience vote, the Opposition acknowledged the likelihood of defeat, conceding that NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan was poised for victory. The NDA, meanwhile, expressed confidence in Radhakrishnan’s win.
On voting by ballot paper, Congress MP Randeep Surjewala questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi that if the Vice President election can take place on the ballot paper, then why not the election of MPs and MLAs, said Congress MP Randeep Surjewala.
He added, “For us, this fight is not limited to just casting a vote. This is a fight to save the Parliament’s decorum, traditions, values and parameters…”
Taking a jibe at the Opposition candidates’ appeal for a conscience vote, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said, “If they hear the voice of their conscience, then NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan will win the elections by a big margin.”
Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar said the Opposition’s call for a conscience vote by its nominee, Sudershan Reddy, was an attempt to mask the shortfall in their numbers. He noted that NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan was now the clear frontrunner, especially after some parties that were expected to back the Opposition chose to abstain.
Kumar added that regardless of the outcome, constitutional offices must enjoy bipartisan respect, and the election should be conducted in a spirit free of bitterness, upholding the highest traditions of democracy.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur says, “Wait for the results. The candidate nominated by the BJP-NDA is very graceful; his life has been full of achievements. I am confident that he will win with a full majority. Country will get a new Vice President and Rajya Sabha will get a new chairman…”
Exuding confidence on NDA candidate Radhakrishnan, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, “As an NDA candidate, his victory is as certain as the sunset from the east.”
MoS Anupriya Patel says, “For all of us, this is a matter of great joy. As MPs, we are getting the opportunity to vote for our VP candidate, C.P. Radhakrishnan. His victory is certain. We are much ahead in the number game…They (Opposition) can see ‘mungeri lal ke haseen sapne’, the NDA is united…”
Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury said it was “shameful” that the BRS chose not to support a Telugu candidate like Sudershan Reddy, who had served Telangana throughout his life and taken key decisions as a Supreme Court judge.
She questioned the party’s intentions, alleging that BRS speaks one way in Telangana but acts differently in Delhi, often siding with the BJP in bills and elections. “Whether they vote or not, it won’t matter — our candidate is a good person, and morally, we will win,” she said.