After Jagdeep Dhankar's Resignation, Who Are Likely Top Contenders For Vice President's Office, Check

India's Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, suddenly quit office on Monday, July 21, 2025, on medical grounds. His unexpected resignation has led to a hastened process of electing his successor to the nation's second-highest constitutional office. The Vice President is also the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and this is, therefore, a high-level appointment, especially against the backdrop of the forthcoming parliamentary sessions.

Vice President of India: Roles, Election, and Vacancy

The Vice President is chosen by an electoral college formed by both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). The secret ballot is a system of proportional representation by a single transferable vote. With the present strength of Parliament, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has a comfortable majority, and hence, they would naturally choose their preferred candidate. The Constitution mandates the vacancy be filled "as soon as possible," and the newly elected Vice President would have a full five-year term.

Top Contenders for the Vice President's Office

Speculation runs wild as to who the probable runners for this highly coveted job are. The NDA has a reputation for springing surprises and putting up candidates who are not the first preference but possess strategic advantages. Some of the individuals whose names are being suggested as top runners are:

1. Arif Mohammad Khan: Presently, the Governor of Bihar since January 2025, Arif Mohammad Khan has a long political career across various portfolios. His experience as a Union Minister and Governor, along with his excellent public speaking ability and intellectual weight, may position him as a force to be reckoned with, being acceptable to a wide section of the electorate.

2. VK Saxena: Delhi's incumbent Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, is a social activist and businessman by training, specifically as the Chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). His non-bureaucratic background and bureaucratic record may make him an intriguing choice, following the trend with Dhankhar's elevation from a gubernatorial position.

3. Manoj Sinha: Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, is a veteran politician with a strong connection at the grassroots, particularly from Uttar Pradesh. His experience as a former Union Minister and his present role in a politically sensitive state can be taken as strengths for the Vice President's office.

4. Shashi Tharoor: One of the leading Congress MPs and articulate representatives, Shashi Tharoor is always a contender whose name is floated for the highest constitutional offices, even as he is part of the opposition. While his prospects from the opposition side would depend on a consensus, his intellectual credentials and parliamentary performance are unquestioned. But present internal party tensions could affect his viability.

5. Nitish Kumar: Bihar Chief Minister and senior JD(U) leader, Nitish Kumar's name has also been doing the rounds, especially by some BJP leaders from Bihar, following Dhankhar's resignation. While JD(U) leaders are vociferously claiming their loyalty to Bihar, their names being floated here are a reflection of the political maneuvering and potential reshuffles within the NDA. With his vast administrative background and experience as a Chief Minister, he is likely to be the choice if the NDA opts for a political veteran from a friendly party.

Other contenders, like JD(U) member Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh, are also in the fray based on the arithmetic strength of the NDA. The decision would finally depend on a political calculation on the part of the ruling alliance to pick a candidate able to efficiently chair the Rajya Sabha and represent the nation on various forums, and work in the larger political interests