New Delhi, July 26 -- As the Election Commission of India (ECI) formally set in motion the process of electing the next vice president by appointing a returning officer, the BJP-led ruling NDA and the Opposition parties have started deliberations to pick a their contestants for the key constitutional position following the abrupt resignation of Jagdeep Dhankar early this week.

In the electoral college, which comprises of members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has a clear majority as its strength is nearly 425 out of the current total of 782 MPs, making its nominee a clear favourite to fill in the position.

Several leaders of the BJP and its allies are of the view that the NDA this time is...