INDIA bloc to hold talks on V-P candidate

The Opposition INDIA bloc will meet on Monday (August 18, 2025) to discuss their nominee for the Vice-Presidential elections. The NDA named its candidate on Sunday (August 17, 2025).

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will preside over a meeting of the parliamentary floor leaders of the INDIA [India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance] bloc at 10:15am, where they are likely to discuss the issue.

A senior Congress leader told The Hindu that they will reach out to senior leaders of the opposition bloc over the phone to arrive at a consensus candidate.

“We may decide on the name either tomorrow evening or Tuesday,” the Congress leader said.

Asked if the candidate would be from the Congress party, he said, “We have not decided on that, but we want the candidate to be a consensus choice.”

Though the NDA has a clear numerical edge in an election where only MPs make up the electoral college, the INDIA bloc is keen to put up a contest to underscore a political point that the election will not go uncontested.