Who Will Be India’s Next Vice President?
Has a minor BJP figure reshaped its triumph? The election outcomes at the Constitution Club in New Delhi, announced on August 13 last week, stirred BJP politics significantly. In this election, Sanjeev Baliyan, a Jat leader from BJP, faced off against Rajiv Pratap Rudy, a five-time BJP MP who had the support of some party leaders. Approximately 260 current and former MPs attended a dinner hosted by Baliyan for MPs before the election, while only 40 people attended a dinner hosted by Rudy. Many prominent BJP leaders were so committed to securing Baliyan's victory that, for the first time at the Constitution Club, several key leaders from UP, Bihar, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh were assigned to ensure Baliyan's success. However, when the election results were announced, the BJP's favored candidate lost by 102 votes. A total of 707 votes were cast in this election, with Rudy receiving 392 votes and Baliyan only 290. Baliyan's votes included 110 from former MPs. Up until a day before the election, a BJP MP close to Baliyan was confidently asserting that Rudy would lose by at least 125 votes. Now, the BJP is actively investigating how this dissent emerged within their typically disciplined party.
Who requested Roodhi to step down from the election?: Highly credible sources linked to the BJP report that prior to the Constitution Club elections, a senior BJP figure contacted Rajiv Pratap Roodhi, advising him not to run this time. In response, Roodhi innocently inquired, 'That's fine, but who do you intend to nominate in my place?' The name Sanjeev Baliyan, a Jat leader from Western UP, was then mentioned. Roodhi wanted to remind this party leader that he first won this election in 1991 and has been elected unopposed as the secretary of the club's governing council ever since. Over the past two and a half decades, he has modernized and upgraded the club. Roodhi remarked, 'I am a five-time MP, yet I have no role in the party or the government. Anyway, Harmohan Dhawan and Chandrashekhar ji introduced me to politics.' This comment deeply upset the BJP leader, who then took direct control of the entire election process.
Rajiv Pratap Rudhi was determined to secure his victory and left no effort spared. Following this, he arranged a meeting with Sonia Gandhi, who then introduced him to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. Subsequently, he met with SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, who pledged his full support due to his conflict with Baliyan. Baliyan was also in conflict with RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary, who distanced himself from the election and did not vote, although his party's MPs were seen supporting Rudhi. Rudhi then approached Misa Bharti, but due to a longstanding rivalry with the Lalu family, Misa declined to support him, saying, 'I am sorry, we cannot support you.' Meanwhile, Nishikant Dubey generated sympathy for Rudhi with his sharp remarks, boldly stating that 'Baliyan has joined the election to liberate the Constitution Club from the control of Pilots, IAS, IPS officers, and leftists.' As a result, even those who disliked Nishikant ended up supporting Rudhi.
Who will be the new Vice President of the country?: There are speculations about the new Vice President of the country. But sources related to BJP reveal that in fact, BJP has made its intention clear regarding the selection of the new Vice President. Sources tell that BJP has instructed its special allies that 'only that person should be selected as the next Vice President who has a good understanding of the rules and laws and in whose veins BJP runs deeply.' Sources tell that at present two names are being seriously considered. One of them is an old Brahmin leader of BJP and the other is Thawarchand Gehlot who is a Dalit by caste.