The incoming vice president is expected to be a non-partisan arbiter while being part of the executive. On him lies the onus of making Rajya Sabha a forum for civilised debate again

Members of Parliament vote today to elect the vice president. The VP’s position has a dual responsibility – to serve as chairperson of Rajya Sabha and to temporarily assume the office of President in the event it becomes vacant. And while the first seems simple and the second only temporary, the VP’s role is unique, complex and critical to the orderly functioning of our democracy.