Jagdeep Dhankhar, Former Bengal Governor, To Contest Against Margaret Alva

Apart from the NDA constituents, Bahujan Samaj Party and Biju Janata Dal have also pledged support to Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Jagdeep Dhankhar, advocate, politician and the NDA candidate for the post of the Vice President, is best known for his role as the former Governor of Bengal, when his frequent run-ins with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee generated many a headline -- his voice often more strident than the state's opposition BJP.

Mr Dhankhar was appointed the Governor on Bengal in July 2019 - his abrasive relationship with the government was seen by many as part of a pattern established in many opposition-ruled states, including Delhi.

Over the last three years, the 71-year-old has called out the Mamata Banerjee government multiple times over its policies, decisions, law and order or administrative issues, drawing intense reaction from the Trinamool Congress and its chief.

But after his nomination, Ms Banerjee -- who has written to Delhi several times demanding his recall and accused him of being a BJP stooge -- in a surprise move, said she will abstain from voting in the Vice-Presidential election.