Betrayal At The Ballots? INDIA Bloc At A Crossroads After Cross-Voting In VP Polls

Last Updated:September 11, 2025, 07:00 IST

Even after the dust has settled on the vice-presidential elections, the repercussions are expected to last longer

The INDIA bloc parties decided to set aside their differences and campaign together for Sudershan Reddy. File pic/PTI

The vice-presidential election may not have decided the political future of the INDIA bloc parties, but the cross-voting has shaken many stakeholders and made them question if the effort was worth it.

Largely seen as a Congress-managed campaign with the unanimous choice of B Sudershan Reddy, the Congress stamp of approval and initiative was evident. However, even after the dust has settled on the VP polls, the repercussions are expected to last longer. It casts doubt on the ability of the INDIA bloc as an alliance capable of challenging the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The camaraderie seen during Parliament’s monsoon session on the SIR electoral roll revision issue extended to the VP polls as well. The INDIA bloc parties decided to set aside their differences and campaign together for Sudershan Reddy.

But signs of simmering discontent were evident. Now look at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Despite having the comfort of numbers, they held a two-day workshop. On the day of polling, breakfast meetings were organised by senior ministers with MPs to provide last-minute briefings and demonstrate unity. On the day of polling, the NDA MPs arrived at Parliament together to show they were united.

In contrast, only one meeting was held by the INDIA bloc, which Rahul Gandhi missed. Except for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), most other constituents seemed scattered.

The last straw was the cross-voting by about 15 MPs. It was not only an embarrassing moment but also highlighted the bloc’s poor floor management.

The TMC has always had little faith in the Congress’s ability to fight and win elections. This incident could reinforce that feeling. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), facing high-stakes polls in Bihar, might also be worried.

Is the INDIA bloc united and strong enough to counter the NDA? The VP polls did not indicate so.

Pallavi Ghosh

Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als...Read More

Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als...

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News politics Betrayal At The Ballots? INDIA Bloc At A Crossroads After Cross-Voting In VP Polls

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