Naidu 13th V-P
Continued from Page 1 terms in the Rajya Sabha. In fact, sources said that his first visit after becoming vice-president-elect will be to Bengaluru, on Sunday. He will also visit Tirupati to offer prayers.
Upon winning the election, Mr Naidu said he was humbled by the honour bestowed on him and promised to “uphold the Constitution and the high standards set by my esteemed predecessors.” He also thanked the people, the MPs who voted for him, Mr Modi, Mr Shah and leaders of the nonNDA outfits.
Mr Naidu said the election result was an “important milestone in India’s democratic journey”, one that speaks for the “beauty and strength of our parliamentary democracy” where a farmer’s son can reach the top office. He also said that ever since his candidature was announced, he became a “non-party man” and would try to take everybody along.
Mr Naidu also said that he would endeavour to enable every member in Rajya Sabha to make a meaningful contribution.
“I will seek to utilise the vice-presidential institution to strengthen the hands of the President and uphold the dignity of the Upper House,” Mr Naidu said.
Congratulating the vicepresidential-elect, PM Narendra Modi expressed confidence that Mr Naidu will serve the nation with dedication and diligence.
Mr Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, senior leaders and Central ministers, including Ravishankar Prasad, Ananth Kumar, Dr Harshvardan, Hansraj Ahir, reached Mr Naidu’s residence to congratulate him.
Extending her wishes to Mr Naidu, Congress president Sonia Gandhi also extended her party’s support in further strengthening the RS for effective scrutiny of legislations and government policies.
The strength of the electoral college, comprising both elected and nominated MPs of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, is 790.
There are two vacancies each in the LS and RS. One BJP Lok Sabha MP is barred from voting following a judicial pronouncement.
In the 2007 V-P poll, incumbent Hamid Ansari had polled 456 votes, Najma Heptullah 222 votes and Rashid Masood 75 votes. In the 2012 polls, Mr Ansari had bagged 490 and NDA nominee Jaswant Singh 238 votes.