Venkaiah Naidu promises to uphold Rajya Sabha dignity
Thanks Modi, all party leaders who voted for him.
New Delhi: The NDA nominee for the post of vice-president, M. Venkaiah Naidu, who on Saturday won the elections for the second highest constitutional post of the country, expressed gratitude towards PM Narendra Modi and the MPs who voted for him, and promised to uphold the Constitution and the dignity of the Upper House of Parliament.
He was congratulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outgoing vice-president Hamid Ansari, former President Pranab Mukherjee, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and leaders of various political parties.
Mr Naidu was elected as India’s 13th vice-president, receiving an overwhelming two-third votes against opposition candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
Thanking the PM and all party leaders for their support, Mr Naidu said, “I will seek to utilise the vice-presidential institution to streng-then the hands of the President and uphold the dignity of the Upper House.”
The vice-president is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
“It’s an honour for me to become vice-president from a family of an ordinary farmer. This speaks for the beauty and strength of our democracy,” he added.
Mr Naidu got 516 votes out of total 771 votes cast, while Mr Gandhi could manage only 244 votes. Of the total 771 votes polled, 11 were found to be invalid.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while congratulating Mr Naidu on being elected as the Vice President, expressed confidence that he will serve the nation with dedication and diligence, committed to the goal of nation-building.
The Prime Minister’s message came immediately after Mr Naidu was declared winner in the vice-presidential polls.
“Congratulations to @MVenkaiahNaidu Garu on being elected India’s vice-president. My best wishes for a fruitful & motivating tenure,” Mr Modi tweeted.
“I am confident @MVenkaiahNaidu will serve the nation as a diligent & dedicated Vice President, committed to the goal of nation-building,” the PM added.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi extended best wishes to vice-president-elect M. Venkaiah Naidu and extended her party’s support in further strengthening the Rajya Sabha for effective scrutiny of legislations and government policies.