Amarinder Singh likely to be NDA's VICE-PRESIDENT candidate, to join BJP soon: Sources

There is speculation that former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh may formally join the BJP this month. Meanwhile, a BJP source said on Saturday that Amarinder Singh may be made the NDA's candidate for the vice-presidential election.

Amarinder Singh is currently in London for a back surgery. According to sources in the saffron camp, the process of merging his party 'Punjab Lok Congress' with the BJP will begin when he returns home after a couple of weeks. If Amarinder is announced as the NDA alliance's candidate for the post of vice-president, the process of merger of his party will be led by his wife and former Union minister Praneet Kaur. Patiala MP Praneet is still in the Congress.

The vice-presidential election will be held on August 6. The Election Commission will release the official notification regarding the vice-presidential election on July 5. July 19 is the last day for candidates to file nominations. The scrutiny of nomination will be held on July 20. July 22 is the last day for withdrawal of nominations. The NDA alliance is likely to announce its name for the post of Vice President by the second week of July. The term of the current Vice President Venkaiah Naidu ends on August 10.

Polling to elect the next vice president will be held on August 6 and counting of votes will take place the same day.

The BJP-led NDA has a clear edge in the poll in which members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, are eligible to vote.

The notification for the election will be issued on July 5, which will set in motion the nomination process. The last date for filing of nomination papers will be July 19.

The scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on July 20 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is July 22.