NDA backs PM Modi to choose vice-presidential candidate

NEW DELHI: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Thursday unanimously authorised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president JP Nadda to select the ruling bloc's vice-presidential candidate, as the Election Commission issued a notification kicking off the nomination process.

At a meeting of NDA floor leaders chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah and Nadda, alliance partners backed the idea of fielding a common candidate for the post.

At the outset, Shah invited suggestions on how to proceed. Leaders including JD(U)'s Rajiv Ranjan Singh, NCP's Praful Patel, and AIADMK's Thambidurai voiced support for a joint nominee and authorised Modi and Nadda to finalise the candidate.


Sources said senior BJP leaders Singh, Shah, and Nadda will consult allies and also reach out to the Opposition on the vice-presidential election.

After the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the decision to empower Modi and Nadda was unanimous. Both leaders are also Leaders of the House in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, respectively.

With the NDA holding a comfortable majority in the electoral college-comprising members of both Houses of Parliament-victory for its nominee is a near certainty. The ruling alliance commands support from around 422 MPs, well above the majority mark of 391 in the 781-member House (against the full strength of 788).

Rijiju said no specific names were discussed. Asked whether the NDA would seek a consensus with the Opposition, he replied, "There are conventions. If opposition parties come forward, we will certainly engage. But this is a constitutional process we must follow."