Cross-Voting In Vice Presidential Poll? Kiren Rijiju’s Special ‘Thanks’ To INDIA Bloc MPs

Last Updated:September 10, 2025, 16:45 IST

Kiren Rijiju thanks opposition MPs for cross-voting in Vice Presidential election as NDA's CP Radhakrishnan wins, defeating B Sudershan Reddy.

Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday took a "conscience" swipe at the opposition over the probability of cross-voting by the INDIA bloc MPs (X)

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday took a "conscience" swipe at the opposition over the probability of cross-voting by the INDIA bloc MPs in the recently concluded Vice Presidential election, where NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan was declared the winner.

In a post on X, Rijiju “thanked" the opposition MPs who, according to him, cross-voted in favour of NDA’s CP Radhakrishnan, saying that NDA and "all our friendly MPs" remain united as they voted with “conscience".

“Special thanks to some MPs of- INDI Alliance who voted with ‘Conscience’ for NDA candidate @CPRGuv ji in the VP election. NDA and All our friendly MPs remain united. Congratulations to everyone on electing a humble & efficient man and a true patriot as India’s new Vice President," Rijiju said in a post on X.

Additionally, BJP leader BL Santhosh claimed that the INDIA bloc candidate, Justice (redt,) B Sudershan Reddy, received 15 fewer votes than their total number as claimed by the opposition.

“Voting happened through ballot papers & INDI Alliance got 15 votes less than their number. The INDI alliance leaders had campaigned for a conscience vote. They got it in return," Santhosh posted on X.

Shiv Sena MP Shrinkant Shinde also echoed similar sentiments and extended a special word of thanks to the MPs in the opposition’s INDIA bloc and the MVA who “listened to their conscience and in doing so, supported the NDA. Sometimes conscience speaks louder than party whips."

Opposition’s Response to Cross-Voting Claims

Meanwhile, the opposition leaders have denied the claims of cross-voting in the recently concluded polls.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, “The opposition raises the voice of the people, points out the shortcomings of the government, so we hope there will be no bias… There was no (cross-voting) from our side, our 9 MPs voted strongly for one side, we have remained united."

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, “There was no cross voting in Vice Presidential polls. The INDIA bloc got votes as per its strength… The BJP should contemplate why BJD, BRS and Akali Dal didn’t support them this time."

CP Radhakrishnan Becomes India’s 15th VP

NDA candidate CP Radhakrishnan was elected as the 15th Vice President of India on Tuesday, bagging 452 votes against the Opposition nominee and former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy’s 300 votes.

Announcing the result, Rajya Sabha Secretary General and Returning Officer PC Mody said 767 MPs out of 781 cast their votes with a total turnout of 98.2%. He said 752 ballots were valid and 15 were invalid, bringing down the required majority of first preference votes to 377.

The victory margin was a setback to the Opposition, which had claimed that all its 315 MPs remained united in the election and voted for Reddy. Radhakrishnan’s margin was bigger than expected, with the BJP claiming that he drew support even from the rival camp.

The BJP-led NDA had on paper 427 MPs in its alliance, with the YSR Congress also extending the support of its 11 MPs to its candidate. Some MPs representing smaller parties also backed Radhakrishnan. BJP leaders claimed that at least 15 opposition MPs voted in favour of Radhakrishnan. There were hints from the ruling alliance that some Opposition MPs deliberately cast invalid votes.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that the opposition’s performance in the Vice Presidential election was “respectable," noting that its joint candidate Justice B Sudershan Reddy (retd) secured 40 per cent of the vote.

Ramesh contrasted the result with the 2022 Vice Presidential polls, when the Opposition’s share was 26 per cent.

“The Opposition stood united for the Vice Presidential election. Its performance has undeniably been most respectable. Its joint candidate Justice (retd) B. Sudershan Reddy secured 40% of the vote. In 2022, the Opposition had received 26% of the vote in the Vice Presidential elections," Ramesh said in a post on X.

“The BJP’s arithmetical victory is really both a moral and political defeat. The ideological battle continues undiminished," he added.

The Vice President’s post has been vacant since July 21, 2025, as Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his position, citing health reasons.

News politics Cross-Voting In Vice Presidential Poll? Kiren Rijiju’s Special ‘Thanks’ To INDIA Bloc MPs

Read More