Venkaiah: No desire to be V-P
Senior Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said Tuesday he was not interested in contesting the vicepresidential election even if he was pressed to do so. Vicepresident Hamid Ansari’s term ends on August 10.
Mr Naidu will join NDA presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind on his J&K trip on Wednesday, as part of Mr Kovind’s nationwide tour. ■ More on Page 3
Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said he is not interested in any ceremonial position that would keep him away from the people and would not contest the vice-presidential poll even if someone compelled him. Vice President M. Hamid Ansari’s term is ending on August 10.
“Never am I going to participate in V-P polls even if anyone compels me. Happiness for me is to meet people, be among them and serve them. I can’t stay away from people by taking up any ceremonial position,” he said. The Union minister had declared recently he would neither want to become the Rashtrapati (President) nor Uparashtrapati (Vice President) but was happy being Usha’s pati (his spouse).
“I wish to speak without any barriers and say what I feel, travel to different places, meet people and eat their food,” he added.