Surprise Pick for Vice President Likely from BJP’s Inner Circle, Not the Name Everyone’s Talking About

New Delhi: As political speculation swirls following the sudden resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, India Today sources have indicated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to nominate a candidate closely aligned with its core ideology for the crucial constitutional post — ruling out JD(U) leader and Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur.

Despite widespread buzz on social media and in political circles, sources confirmed to India Today that Ram Nath Thakur is not being considered for the Vice President’s role. His recent meeting with BJP National President JP Nadda was described as a routine courtesy call, with no link to the VP race. Multiple MPs reportedly met Nadda during the same period, further dampening speculation.

The Vice President post, second only to the President of India, has assumed renewed political significance as the Monsoon Session of Parliament begins and the race to 2025 state elections heats up. Bihar — where the BJP has never formed a government on its own — remains a major electoral priority.

Rumours of the BJP favoring a Bihar-based leader gained traction after BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur suggested that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar could be elevated to the Vice President’s office — a move that could reconfigure the state’s power dynamics and solidify the BJP-JD(U) alliance under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) umbrella.

However, sources cited by India Today dismissed these theories as “premature and speculative,” stating that no formal discussions have been initiated between JD(U) and the BJP’s central leadership regarding such a transition. The party is instead expected to field someone from within its ideological and organizational ranks, ensuring continuity in leadership and loyalty to its national agenda.

Interestingly, Dhankhar’s absence from the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday further fueled discussions about succession. In his place, Deputy Chairperson Harivansh Narayan Singh — also from JD(U) — presided over the Upper House. His continued presence in the Chair during the Monsoon Session could create favourable optics for the NDA in Bihar, even as the search for a new Vice President continues.