Will the INDIA Bloc Nominate Its Vice-Presidential Candidate Today? Here Are the Three Names in the Running

Today (Aug. 19, 2025), the INDIA bloc or more commonly and simply referred to as India's opposition alliance, is expected to announce its candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. This announcement comes on the heels of the NDA's nomination of Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan. The characterization of the INDIA bloc's nominee is essential to counter the NDA divisive nominee, in order to build an opposition front in this contentious constitutional contest.

Who is Running?

●Mylswamy Annadurai

 A former ISRO scientist and head of the Chandrayaan-1 mission, and a person viewed as still respected and having a technical credential, the INDIA bloc leaders reportedly discussed his name in their meeting.

●Tiruchi Siva

 The veteran DMK politician and Rajya Sabha MP is regarded as a significant political candidate because he is politically connected to Tamil Nadu.

●Tushar Gandhi

Tushar Gandhi is Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson. Tushar is mostly quoted for his intellectual and historical legacy, as he is a possible compromise and unifying and symbolic candidate for the INDIA bloc. 

Why Tamil Nadu?

Choosing a candidate from Tamil Nadu would be deliberate. First, it counters the NDA's strategic attempt to legitimize their usage of regional identity through the Tamil Nadu native Governor Radhakrishnan, and South lends itself to national goodwill- as there might be sentiments to be politically insensitive to no Southern representation altogether. 

What about the NDA? 

The NDA, which is the ruling government, the BJP of the NDA has already put forth C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is from Tamil Nadu and is the Governor of Maharashtra now, as its candidate for the Vice-President. Radhakrishnan is a senior BJP politician with close roots to the RSS, and has had a long political career as MP(members of parliament), and has also served as a Governor. 

What's Next?

The INDIA bloc met this morning at the residence of Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge to finalize its candidate, which will be announced later today. Sources indicate that the announcement will happen on Tuesday.

What is at stake?

The Vice Presidential election will be on September 9, 2025, following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 based on health grounds. The choice made by the INDIA bloc will determine the nature of the political equilibrium in this open constitutional position and whether or not opposition unity can transcend narrow political partisanships. 

Final Thoughts

If the bloc chooses Annadurai, they are averting any polarization by going with a neutral, and apolitical, person who has some technical prestige—nothing wrong in that. 

●If the bloc goes with Siva, they will stick with a politically anchored, regional player. 

●If they choose Tushar Gandhi, it would have sentimental and symbolic weight. 

●Stay with us—we could be close to a revelation of a big name from the opposition in India today.