Vice-Presidental Election 2022 Live: Congratulations pour in for Dhankhar on winning VP poll

By Anuj Cariappa

Updated: Saturday, August 6, 2022, 23:48 [IST]

New Delhi, Aug 06: NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar was declared elected as the Vice President of India on Saturday after he bagged 528 votes against his rival candidate Margaret Alva's 182.

Dhankhar, 71, will succeed M Venkaiah Naidu who demits office August 10. The returning officer of the vice presidential election said of the total 780 electors, 725 cast their ballots but 15 votes were found to be invalid.

Vice-Presidental Election 2022 Live: Jagdeep Dhankhar is new VP of India — PM Modi meets vice president-elect Dhankhar (Photo credit: ANI)

The turnout was 92.94 per cent, he said, adding that a candidate needed 356 votes to get elected. Of all the valid votes, Dhankhar secured 74.36 per cent. He has the highest winning margin in the last six vice presidential elections held since 1997.

As many as 55 MPs did not vote in the vice presidential election held from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday. The Trinamool Congress, which has a total of 36 MPs, including 23 in Lok Sabha, had abstained from the election.

However, two of its MPs had cast their ballots. The numbers were stacked in favour of Dhankhar as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enjoys an absolute majority in Lok Sabha and has clear advantage in Rajya Sabha.

Catch the Live Updates:

Aug 06, 2022, 11:48 PM IST

"Please refer to my letter dated 4 August 2022, wherein you were informed that our parliamentary party members both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha would abstain from voting in the Vice-Presidential election on Saturday, 6 August 2022. "We have noted that you cast your vote in the Vice-Presidential Elections held today," Bandyopadhyay said in a letter to Adhikari.

Aug 06, 2022, 11:27 PM IST

The Mamata Banerjee-led party had decided not to be a part of the vice presidential poll, alleging the joint Opposition candidate was chosen without due consultation. If someone flouts the party’s guideline, it shows his or her proximity to BJP, TMC’s West Bengal spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said in Kolkata.

Aug 06, 2022, 11:27 PM IST

Trinamool Congress MP and Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha Sudip Bandyopadhyay has written to fellow parliamentarian Sisir Adhikari asking him to explain why he participated in the vice presidential election when the party had decided to abstain from the process.

Aug 06, 2022, 10:21 PM IST

I am happy that the son of a farmer has become a Vice-President. He has served successfully as a (BJP) worker. Even as the Governor of West Bengal, he fulfilled his responsibilities: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Aug 06, 2022, 10:11 PM IST

"Congratulations to @jdhankhar1 on being elected as the Vice President of India. Hope he can guide our country forward by strengthening the values enshrined in the Constitution," Kerala CM Vijayan tweeted

Aug 06, 2022, 10:02 PM IST

Met the newly elected Vice President of India, Shri @jdhankhar1 Ji and congratulated him.

Met the newly elected Vice President of India, Shri @jdhankhar1 Ji and congratulated him.

भारत के नवनिर्वाचित उपराष्ट्रपति श्री @jdhankhar1 जी से भेंट कर उन्हें बधाई दी। pic.twitter.com/xoTdd4wZt3
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 6, 2022

Aug 06, 2022, 9:56 PM IST

This is a matter of happiness. Hailing from small village of Jhunjhuna, studying in Sainik schools, he entered politics, became an established lawyer & then a Governor. This shows his strengthened character. It will reflect in his term as VP as well: Union min AR Meghwal

Aug 06, 2022, 9:40 PM IST

I thank all those MPs who have voted for Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji. At a time when India marks Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, we are proud to be having a Kisan Putra Vice President who has excellent legal knowledge and intellectual prowess: PM Modi

Aug 06, 2022, 9:40 PM IST

Congratulations and best wishes to Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar on his being elected Vice President of India: Sonia Gandhi

Aug 06, 2022, 9:30 PM IST

Margaret Alva ran a spirited campaign and it was too bad the TMC didn’t support her. India will have to wait for its first woman Vice President. Incidentally, it was my ministerial duty to accompany Aung San Suu Kyi to meet with her friend Margaret Alva in Bengaluru in Nov 2012: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh

Aug 06, 2022, 9:29 PM IST

I have known Jagdeep Dhankhar for many years, and last year he presided over an online function on my book on the Buddha. I hope he will display the sagacity and objectivity of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and the wit and humour of Venkaiah Naidu, his partymen who became VP: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh

Aug 06, 2022, 9:20 PM IST

Congratulations and best wishes to Thiru. @jdhankhar1 on being elected as the Vice President of India. Hope the ideals enshrined in our constitution will be upheld during your tenure besides strengthening the democratic debates in the Upper House: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin.

Aug 06, 2022, 9:19 PM IST

Congratulate @jdhankhar1 ji on his election as the Vice President of India. Confident that his vast knowledge and rich experience would be evident in his presiding over the Rajya Sabha: S Jaishankar tweets.

Aug 06, 2022, 9:14 PM IST

Outgoing Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday congratulated Jagdeep Dhankhar on winning the vice presidential poll, saying his vast experience and legal expertise will benefit the country. "Congratulations to Jagdeep Dhankhar on being elected the Vice President of India. The nation will benefit from your long and rich experience of public life. My best wishes for a productive and successful tenure," Murmu tweeted.

Aug 06, 2022, 9:13 PM IST

Outgoing Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday congratulated Jagdeep Dhankhar on winning the vice presidential poll, saying his vast experience and legal expertise will benefit the country.

Aug 06, 2022, 9:05 PM IST

Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reach the residence of newly elected Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar in Delhi.

Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reach the residence of newly elected Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar in Delhi pic.twitter.com/XuXZl7AlYv
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2022

Aug 06, 2022, 9:00 PM IST

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla visits the residence of Vice-President elect.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla visits the residence of Vice-President elect Jagdeep Dhankhar in Delhi, to congratulate him on the same. pic.twitter.com/ue6CtDYdIf
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2022

Aug 06, 2022, 8:57 PM IST

I am so happy, congratulate him. It was a decisive & impressive victory. He is an eminent lawyer & a farmer, this is a rare combination: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Jagdeep Dhankhar being elected VP

Aug 06, 2022, 8:53 PM IST

He will be a wonderful Rajya Sabha chairman, an outstanding Vice President. The nation is blessed to have the son of a farmer & an eminent jurist as VP of India. We're fortunate we will have a chance to work with him: Union Minister Piyush Goyal

Aug 06, 2022, 8:51 PM IST

BJP leaders including BJP National President JP Nadda, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi among others, meet with Vice President-elect Jagdeep Dhankhar at his residence in Delhi

Aug 06, 2022, 8:50 PM IST

PM Narendra Modi, BJP chief JP Nadda & Vice-President elect Jagdeep Dhankhar engage in a conversation, as PM Modi leaves from the residence of Dhankhar after congratulating him on being elected the Vice President of India

#WATCH | Delhi: PM Narendra Modi, BJP chief JP Nadda & Vice-President elect Jagdeep Dhankhar engage in a conversation, as PM Modi leaves from the residence of Dhankhar after congratulating him on being elected the Vice President of India pic.twitter.com/1DnEhvbh7S
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2022

Aug 06, 2022, 8:49 PM IST

Rajasthan: Locals in Jhunjhunu, the native place of NDA's Jagdeep Dhankhar, burst into celebrations after his election the the office of Vice President of India

#WATCH | Rajasthan: Locals in Jhunjhunu, the native place of NDA's Jagdeep Dhankhar, burst into celebrations after his election the the office of Vice President of India pic.twitter.com/980QyGdxdf
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2022

Aug 06, 2022, 8:48 PM IST

Jagdeep Dhankhar has won the Vice-Presidential election with a large majority. On the other hand, Margaret Alva got merely 182 votes. I congratulate him. He comes from a farming background. He will help address the farmers' woes: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar

Aug 06, 2022, 8:35 PM IST

Congratulations to Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar ji on being elected as the 14th Vice-President of India. Thank you to Smt @alva_margaretji for representing the spirit of the joint Opposition with grace and dignity.

Aug 06, 2022, 8:32 PM IST

PM Narendra Modi meets Vice-President elect Jagdeep Dhankhar soon after his election to the office, at his residence in Delhi.

PM Narendra Modi meets Vice-President elect Jagdeep Dhankhar soon after his election to the office, at his residence in Delhi pic.twitter.com/7BvYOurskk
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2022

Aug 06, 2022, 8:29 PM IST

NDA's Jagdeep Dhankhar duly elected to the Office of the Vice President of India

NDA's Jagdeep Dhankhar duly elected to the Office of the Vice President of India pic.twitter.com/9m4pszN2gP
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2022

Aug 06, 2022, 8:28 PM IST

This election is over. The battle for protecting our Constitution, strengthening our democracy & restoring the dignity of Parliament, will continue: Margaret Alva

Aug 06, 2022, 8:28 PM IST

It is my belief that by doing so, these parties and their leaders have damaged their own credibility: Margaret Alva

Aug 06, 2022, 8:27 PM IST

This election was an opportunity for the opposition to work together, to leave the past behind & build trust amongst each other. Unfortunately, some opposition parties chose to directly or indirectly support the BJP, in an attempt to derail the idea of a united opposition: Margaret Alva

Aug 06, 2022, 8:27 PM IST

I would like to thank all the leaders of the Opposition, and MPs from across parties who voted for me in this election. Also, all the volunteers for their selfless service during our short but intense campaign. Margaret Alva

Aug 06, 2022, 12:14 am IST

Members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, are eligible to vote in the vice presidential poll. The term of incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu ends on August 10. The vice president is also the chairperson of Rajya Sabha.

Aug 06, 2022, 12:53 am IST

The electoral college in the vice presidential election comprises a total of 788 members of both Houses of Parliament. Since all the electors are members of both Houses of Parliament, the value of vote of each MP would be the same -- one, the Election Commission has said.

Aug 06, 2022, 12:54 am IST

The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote and the voting at such election is by secret ballot. There is no concept of open voting in this election and showing the ballot to anyone under any circumstances in the case of presidential and vice-presidential elections is totally prohibited, the EC has cautioned, adding that parties cannot issue whip to its MPs in the matter of voting.

Aug 06, 2022, 12:54 am IST

Unlike the presidential poll where voting takes place in multiple locations as elected MLAs, not nominated, also form part of the electoral college, in the vice presidential election, voting takes place in Parliament House.

Aug 06, 2022, 1:12 am IST

With numbers stacked in favour of the NDA, former West Bengal governor Dhankhar is set for an easy win. Cracks were visible in opposition unity as Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress decided to abstain from voting alleging lack of consultations while deciding on the name of Alva.

Aug 06, 2022, 1:17 am IST

Alva has received the backing of regional party Telangana Rashtra Samithi(TRS) on Friday, two days after Aam Aadmi Party and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) lent their support to the opposition candidate.

Aug 06, 2022, 1:18 am IST

The AIMIM has also extended its support to Alva. With the support of some regional parties like the Janta Dal (United), YSRCP, BSP, AIADMK and Shiv Sena, the NDA nominee is likely to get over 515 votes, enough for a comfortable win for him.

Aug 06, 2022, 1:28 am IST

Alva is likely to get over 200 votes, going by the support announced by parties for her candidature so far. The Trinamool Congress, which has 23 MPs in Lok Sabha and 16 in Rajya Sabha, has decided to stay away from the vice presidential election. "If Parliament is to function effectively, MPs, independent of their parties, must find ways to rebuild trust and restore broken communication amongst each other.

Aug 06, 2022, 6:26 am IST

Vice President of India is the second highest constitutional office in the country.

Aug 06, 2022, 6:27 am IST

M Venkaiah Naidu is the current Vice President. He was elected to the post on August 11, 2017. His term is slated to end on August 10 this year. As per the rule, an election to fill a vacancy caused by the expiry of the term of office of the Vice-President should be completed before the expiry of the term of the incumbent Vice President.

Aug 06, 2022, 6:35 am IST

The Election Commission of India is the body that conducts the election for the office of the Vice President.

Aug 06, 2022, 6:36 am IST

The Vice-President is elected by an electoral process in which all the members of Parliament---Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha participate in the contest and vote through a secret ballot.

Aug 06, 2022, 6:36 am IST

The polling will take place between 10 am and 5 pm, followed by the counting of votes on the same day. The next Vice President of India will take oath on August 11, a day after the tenure of the incumbent V-P M Venakish Naidu ends.

Aug 06, 2022, 6:52 am IST

The electoral process for the election of the vice-president consists of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha members. Rajya Sabha has a total of 233 elected members and 12 nominated, while the lower house has 543 elected members and 2 nominated.

Aug 06, 2022, 6:53 am IST

With the BJP's 303 members in the Lok Sabha and 91 in the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar is expected to get over 515 votes. He has the support of regional parties like the Janta Dal (United), YSRCP, BSP, AIADMK, Shiv Sena, AIADMK, TDP and BSP.

Aug 06, 2022, 6:54 am IST

Alva, on the other side, may get over 200 votes. She has received the backing of regional party Telangana Rashtra Samithi(TRS), Aam Aadmi Party and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). The AIMIM has also lent their support to the opposition candidate.

Aug 06, 2022, 7:04 am IST

The Trinamool Congress, which has 23 MPs in Lok Sabha and 16 in Rajya Sabha, has decided to abstain from voting in election.

Aug 06, 2022, 8:07 am IST

A veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister, Alva has previously served as the Governor of Goa, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. The 80-year-old has also served as the Union Minister of State for the Parliamentary Affairs, Youth and Sports and Women and Child Development portfolios.

Aug 06, 2022, 8:40 am IST

Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is a lawyer by profession, entered politics in 1989. He became the governor of West Bengal in July 2019. He tendered his resignation as the Governor of West Bengal following the nomination for the vice president post.

Aug 06, 2022, 8:40 am IST

Margaret Alva filed her nomination for the vice presidential election on July 19.

Aug 06, 2022, 8:41 am IST

The decision to field Alva was taken at a meeting of opposition leaders of 17 parties at the residence of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.

Aug 06, 2022, 8:42 am IST

Who will the parties vote for?

Trinamool Congress said that the party will abstain from voting in the upcoming Vice Presidential poll. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) are among some parties supporting Margaret Alva. On the other hand, Jagdeep Dhankhar has support from parties like the Janata Dal (United), YSRCP, BSP, AIADMK, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Shiv Sena.

Aug 06, 2022, 8:50 am IST

The BJP on Friday organised a mock voting drill for NDA coalition MPs ahead of the vice-presidential election.

Aug 06, 2022, 8:50 am IST

BJP president J P Nadda and several Union ministers were present during the exercise. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav oversaw it.

Aug 06, 2022, 8:50 am IST

After the exercise, NDA's vice-presidential nominee Jagdeep Dhankar reached Parliament and thanked the MPs of the ruling alliance for nominating him as their candidate.

Aug 06, 2022, 9:56 am IST

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday decided to extend its support to the joint opposition candidate Margaret Alva for Vice President.

Aug 06, 2022, 10:05 am IST

Margaret Alva can expect 26 per cent votes (around 200). She has the support of Congress, MK Stalin's DMK, Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal, Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party and Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party and the Left parties.

Aug 06, 2022, 10:08 am IST

Voting to elect the next Vice President begins.

Aug 06, 2022, 10:10 am IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Parliament complex at Room number 63. He will be the first person to cast the vote in the Vice Presidential election.

Aug 06, 2022, 10:11 am IST

Prime Minister Modi was among the first to cast his vote in Parliament as voting for the vice-presidential election began.