Venkaiah’s challenge is to rise above politics

V enkaiah Naidu’s election as the country’s Vice-President announced on Saturday evening, was never in doubt right since the time his name was finalized as the National Democratic Alliance’s candidate for the coveted post. The BJP, which he served with unflinching loyalty for decades was bolstered by support from its allies in NDA as well as some outside parties that pledged support to him. Out of 760 valid votes, Venkaiah polled 516 votes against Gopalkrishna Gandhi’s 244, a convincing margin indeed with an estimated 20 Opposition members breaking ranks and voting for him.

With the President, the Vice-President and Prime Minister all from the BJP the ruling dispensation has a virtually complete sway over the key seats of power. How that would pan out in practical terms remains to be seen. The Constitution requires the President and Vice-President to be non-partisan and that would be put to test now. Venkaiah Naidu’s political career spanned nearly five decades. His association with politics started off during his college years where he graduated in politics and diplomatic studies. He was part of BJP’s student wing ABVP, during his college days and was a swayamsevak for RSS. After stints in student politics Venkaiah Naidu was made the party’s Andhra unit president in 1988, and he served in that capacity until 1993, after which he was elevated to the post of the party’s general secretary. The veteran was also the party’s president for two terms in 2002 and 2004. During the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, he was the rural development minister. In Modi government, he has held the portfolios of housing, urban poverty alleviation as well as information and broadcasting.

Venkaiah Naidu has been an active participant in Parliament debates, making his point forcefully but with dignity. He is popular among his colleagues. As chairperson of Rajya Sabha, Venkaiah is expected to lend his wit and substance to the Upper House. Prime Minister Modi has had ample trust in Venkaiah Naidu and he will surely miss his presence in cabinet meetings. Winning the trust of the Opposition may not be as easy since Venkaiah has had a long record of association with the BJP, but that he will strive for that is beyond question. Naidu was known for spearheading many crucial projects like the Real Estate Regulatory Act (RERA), Housing for All, Smart Cities, Swachh Sarvekshan, AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation), among others. With the BJP already strong in Karnataka but aiming to spread its footprints authoritatively in other southern states too, having a Vice-President from the South is expected to give the party a boost.