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Sep

Vice Presidential Poll: A Contest Between RSS Agenda and  Idea of India

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A close-up of a person with glasses AI-generated content may be incorrect.The Vice Presidential election, scheduled for 9 September, carries significance far beyond the filling of a constitutional office. At stake is nothing less than the spirit of India’s democracy, which is facing unprecedented strain from the RSS-BJP ecosystem determined to subvert the Constitution and reshape the Republic into a majoritarian, Hindutva-led state.

The election was necessitated by the abrupt resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on 22 July during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. With numbers stacked in favour of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), its candidate Chandrapuram Ponnunsamy Radhakrishnan appears poised for victory. Yet, in a contest where no party whip is issued, the possibility remains that MPs might rise above narrow party lines to defend the “Idea of India” — the plural, inclusive ethos born of the freedom struggle and enshrined in the Constitution.

At its core, the contest is symbolic: RSS vs. the Idea of India.

 

The upcoming Vice Presidential election on September 9 is more than a routine constitutional exercise; it symbolizes a battle between the RSS-driven Hindutva agenda and the pluralist “Idea of India.” The NDA has fielded C.P. Radhakrishnan, a lifelong RSS-BJP loyalist with a career built on party allegiance rather than independent credentials. In contrast, the INDIA bloc’s candidate, B.S. Reddy, is a distinguished jurist known for defending constitutional morality and social justice.
Wednesday Wisdom
By Satish Misra
 Their contrasting messages highlight the stakes: Radhakrishnan emphasized loyalty to BJP leaders, while Reddy pledged impartiality and commitment to constitutional values. Although the NDA’s numerical strength makes its victory likely, the contest holds moral weight. It tests whether MPs will endorse majoritarian politics or safeguard India’s democratic ethos. Thus, the election is not merely about presiding over the Rajya Sabha but about reaffirming the Republic’s constitutional soul.

 

The NDA’s Choice: An RSS Loyalist

The ruling NDA has put forward C. P. Radhakrishnan, whose chief qualification is his lifelong association with the RSS-BJP network. Critics argue he is unlikely to act independently or question the government on constitutional issues. Instead, they say, he would function as a political loyalist, advancing partisan interests rather than safeguarding the Constitution.

Born on 20 October 1957 in Tirupur, Tamil Nadu, to a business family, Radhakrishnan joined the RSS early in life. After completing a BBA degree, he took part in his family’s business before rising in BJP ranks. He served as state BJP president between 2004 and 2006, when he embarked on a 93-day Rath Yatra to popularize the party.

Radhakrishnan was elected to the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore in 1998 and re-elected in 1999, riding on alliances with AIADMK and DMK. However, subsequent electoral attempts failed. His loyalty to the party was rewarded with gubernatorial assignments: Governor of Jharkhand in 2023, with additional charge of Telangana and Puducherry, and later Governor of Maharashtra in July 2024. His political trajectory reflects a consistent pattern of service to the RSS-BJP cause, rewarded with high office despite modest academic or professional credentials. In short, Radhakrishnan is a quintessential RSS man.

INDIA Bloc’s Candidate: A Constitutionalist

In stark contrast, the INDIA bloc has fielded Balakrishna Sudarshana Reddy, a distinguished jurist with a long record of defending constitutional morality and social justice.

Born on 8 July 1946 in a farming family in Rang Reddy district, present-day Telangana, Reddy studied law at Osmania University, graduating in 1971. As a lawyer, he championed the causes of the marginalized, earning the nickname “Turram Khan”, after a legendary folk hero of Hyderabad.

He became a judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995, rose to Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in 2005, and later served as a Supreme Court judge from 2007 to 2011. After retirement, he became the first Lokayukta of Goa and now serves on the Board of Trustees of the International Arbitration and Mediation Centre, Hyderabad.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, announcing Reddy’s candidature, aptly said: “This is an ideological battle. We all know how he stood for the poor and protected the Constitution.”

Words That Reveal Worlds

The contrast between the two candidates became evident in their first public statements after nomination.

Radhakrishnan flooded his message with gratitude to the BJP leadership:

“My heartfelt thanks to our beloved People’s leader, our most respected Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji… Home Minister Amit Shah Ji… BJP President J. P. Nadda Ji… and all NDA partners for choosing me as their Vice Presidential candidate.”

His statement read less like a vision for the office than a display of personal loyalty.

Reddy, in contrast, struck a tone of impartiality and constitutional responsibility:

“If elected, I will discharge the role of Vice President with impartiality, dignity, and a steadfast commitment to dialogue and decorum. This election is not merely about one individual. It is about reaffirming the idea of India — where Parliament functions with integrity, where dissent is respected, and where institutions serve people with independence and fairness.”

Even the symbolism of nomination day revealed differences. While Radhakrishnan delegated the task, Reddy submitted his papers personally, underscoring his sense of duty.

“Today, I had the honour of filing my nomination papers as a joint candidate of the Opposition parties. I did so with humility, responsibility, and unwavering commitment to the values enshrined in our Constitution,” he said.

More Than a Foregone Conclusion

On paper, the result looks settled. The NDA enjoys numerical superiority in Parliament, and its candidate should sail through. Yet, the times are far from normal. With democratic institutions under strain and Parliament itself increasingly marginalized, this election offers lawmakers a chance to act as custodians of conscience rather than mere party representatives.

Reddy himself framed the choice in stark terms:

“My life in public service — as a judge of the Supreme Court, as a student of law, and as a citizen rooted in democratic traditions — has taught me that India’s true strength lies in the dignity of every individual, the protection of constitutional morality, and unity in our diversity.”

A Test of Conscience

In ordinary times, a Vice Presidential election might have been little more than a procedural exercise. But today, when the Republic’s democratic fabric is visibly fraying, the vote acquires moral and symbolic weight. It asks MPs: will they rubber-stamp the advance of majoritarian politics, or will they defend the pluralist Idea of India?

While few expect a political upset, it is not inconceivable that some lawmakers — even within the BJP — may heed the call of conscience. For them, voting for Reddy would not just be about supporting a candidate but about upholding the enduring values of justice, equality, and humanity that define India at its best.

The Vice Presidential election of 2024 is, therefore, not merely about who presides over the Rajya Sabha. It is a referendum on India’s constitutional soul.( Dr Satish Misra is a senior journalist , media scholar and political thinker)

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