Wed Sep 10 16:24:10 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text and aimed at fitting within *The Hindu’s* usual style:

**News Article:**

**Opposition Alleges “Vote Theft” in Vice-Presidential Election as Cracks Appear in Coalition**

*New Delhi, September 10, 2025* – A day after C.P. Radhakrishnan’s election as Vice-President of India, the opposition is reeling and levelling accusations of “vote theft” against the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Congress MP Manickam Tagore led the charge, alleging foul play and questioning the integrity of the electoral process within Parliament.

The opposition’s internal estimates indicate a significant shortfall of at least 15 votes from their expected tally, despite high attendance. Sources suggest potential cross-voting or invalid votes from members of several parties, including the Shiv Sena (UBT), Aam Aadmi Party, NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. “We cannot authoritatively say whether these were found to be invalid or these members voted with the government,” one opposition leader stated, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Congress and Samajwadi Party are also reportedly unable to account for several votes.

Mr. Tagore took to social media, posting a series of questions implying manipulation and raising concerns about the use of investigative agencies to influence voting. He directly questioned the NDA’s celebrations of “conscience votes” from opposition MPs, suggesting coercion rather than genuine support. “Is this really conscience? Or is this CBI/ED pressure and horse trading being justified as conscience?” he asked in his online statement. He further linked the alleged irregularities to broader concerns about electoral integrity, referencing past issues with voter suppression and Aadhaar-linked voting.

However, not all opposition voices echoed the claims of vote theft. Derek O’ Brien of the Trinamool Congress downplayed the significance of the Vice-Presidential election numbers, emphasizing the importance of holding the government accountable on critical issues such as the lack of a Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha, the ongoing violence in Manipur, and economic policies. He presented a series of statistics highlighting the government’s shortcomings, stating that these were far more relevant than the Vice-Presidential election result.

The allegations of vote theft have injected further tension into the political landscape, raising questions about the unity and cohesion of the opposition coalition. As investigations continue, the controversy threatens to cast a shadow over the start of the new Vice-President’s term and add heat to the upcoming 2029 general election.

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