No longer part of BJP, above any party now: Naidu

Reaching out to parties across the political divide, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) vice presidential candidate M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said he no longer belonged to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and will strengthen democratic institutions if elected.

Naidu, who was flanked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party veteran LK Advani when he filed his nomination in the parliament complex, said the candidature was an “honour” for him and he will uphold the dignity of the office if elected.

In a “farewell” press conference soon after he filed his nomination, he expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister and BJP chief Amit Shah as he played down reports that he was not very keen for the new responsibility.

“The office of the vice president has been held by the illustrious people like Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Zakir Hussain, M Hidayatullah, R Venkataraman, Shanker Dayal Sharma and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat... I am fully aware of the august responsibilities associated with the office. I would like to assure the people of the country that, on being elected, I will uphold the traditions and standards set by the worthy predecessors. I will uphold the dignity of the office of the vice president,” he said.

“I am above any party now,” he added.

India’s beauty and strength lie in its parliamentary democratic system, Naidu said.

He also called on on ailing former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other party veterans L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. He said he will continue as a member of the Rajya Sabha and cast his vote in the vice presidential poll next month. Members of allies like TDP, Shiv Sena and LJP accompanied Naidu.