V-P poll: INDIA bloc likely to field non-political candidate

With the notification having been issued for Vice-Presidential election on August 7, the Opposition INDIA bloc is likely to support a non-political candidate for the post, said sources.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is learnt to have held parleys with allies such as the TMC and the DMK over the selection of a candidate. The sources said the INDIA bloc was keen on selecting a candidate who was non-political and preferably had strong academic credentials.

The Vice-Presidential election will be held on September 9.

The post fell vacant when Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as the Vice-President on July 21 citing health reasons, though there are speculations of a possible fallout with the government.