By: Express News Service New Delhi | August 8, 2025 03:49 IST 3 min readPrime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president and Leader of Rajya Sabha J P Nadda.THE NDA parties on Thursday authorised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president and Leader of Rajya Sabha J P Nadda to choose the ruling bloc’s vice-presidential candidate, even as the Election Commission kick-started the nomination process for the poll by issuing a notification.“NDA parties will support whatever decision is taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Modiji,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju after a meeting of the NDA parties in Parliament House building.The NDA candidate’s election to the constitutional position is a foregone conclusion as the alliance enjoys a comfortable majority in the Electoral College, which comprises members of the two Houses.According to Rijiju, no discussion was held on the possible choices for the post.The last day for filing nominations is August 21, and withdrawals are allowed until August 25. The election will be held on September 9 in case the Opposition fields a rival candidate. The election was necessitated following the sudden resignation of then Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21. His term was to end in August 2027.Sources said the BJP wants the NDA MPs to be present when its candidate files nomination. Asked if the ruling alliance will reach out to the Opposition to evolve a consensus on the next vice-president, Rijiju said: “There are certain conventions. If Opposition parties come and discuss with us, we will always discuss with them. But this is a constitutional process which we have to do.”Sources said a consensus candidate is unlikely as the Opposition parties are trying to put up a united face against the NDA’s nominee.Story continues below this adUnion Ministers Rajnath Singh, who chaired the meeting, Amit Shah besides Nadda and Rijiju from the BJP, JD(U)’s Lalan Singh, Shiv Sena’s Shrikant Shinde, TDP’s Ram Mohan Naidu and Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Chirag Paswan were among the leaders who attended the meeting. Apna Dal (soneylal) leader Anupriya Patel and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party’s Upendra Kushwaha and leaders from AIADMK were also present.Against the maximum strength of 788, the effective strength of the two Houses is 781 as one seat is vacant in Lok Sabha and six in Rajya Sabha, including one caused by the death of former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren. The NDA’s strength is 422, which is 31 more than the majority mark of 391.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Narendra Modi