PARLIAMENT DIARY
After filing his nomination, NDA’s vice-presidential candidate M. Venkaiah Naidu came to the Central Hall of Parliament to say goodbye to fellow MPs. Earlier, he was a regular visitor to the Central Hall for informal chats with MPs from all parties and the media. Since the numbers are in his favour, Mr Naidu might have to take the oath of the new office and then he would not be able to move around in the Parliament freely. He admitted he would miss his friendly interactions in the Central Hall and said, in a lighter vein, “I may come to the Central Hall only for official functions.” Just before his name was announced for the August 5 election, he dismissed speculation over his candidature. His reply used to be: “I am only Ushapati not Rashtrapati or Uparashtrapati.” Usha is his wife’s name. Today, he accepted that now, perhaps, he would be a “pati” in two roles — one Ushapati and other Uparashtrapati.
VENKAIAH NAIDU SAYS GOODBYE TO FELLOW MPs GANDHI TO BEGIN CAMPAIGN FROM CENTRAL HALL
The Opposition’s vice-presidential candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi has decided to launch his campaign from the Central Hall of Parliament. Mr Gandhi has never been a MP but after filing his nomination, he will be eligible to enter the premises and seek votes. Members of both Houses are eligible to vote in the vice-presidential election. On Tuesday, Opposition MPs planned the campaign for Mr Gandhi who will write to all MPs and send a video-clip of his appeal. The responsibility of buying post-cards, to be sent by Mr Gandhi, was given to TMC leaders who picked up a big bunch from a post office in central Delhi.
TDP MP USED PRIVATE JET TO VOTE IN PRESIDENTIAL POLL
After TDP Member of Parliament J.C. Diwakar Reddy was banned by domestic airlines after his alleged unruly behaviour at the Vizag airport, he has learnt to cope by flying in a private jet. He has been regularly attending the current session of Parliament from the first day. On the presidential election day, he hired a private jet for coming to Parliament. But he faced a problem in the accounts department, as MPs are not paid TA/DA if they travel in a private plane.