VENKAIAH NAIDU
The decision of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to nominate Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu as candidate for the Vice-President’s post marks the peak in his eventful political career spanning more than six decades. Born on July 1, 1949 in an agriculture family in Chavatapalem village of Nellore district in then Madras presidency, Venkaiah Naidu started his political career as a student leader. Associated with the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) since his school days, Venkaiah Naidu honed his leadership and managerial skills by actively participating in student politics. A graduate in law from Andhra University Visakhapatnam, Venkaiah Naidu was the president of the students union in RV College and Andhra University. A dyed-in-thewool member of RSS, he had his first trial by fire when he joined Jayaprakash Narayan movement against Indira Gandhi government and actively participated in the agitation as the convener of the state students wing of JP moment.
In 1977 when the Janata Party ousted Indira Gandhi from power, he became the state unit president of the Janata Party youth wing.
He had his first tryst with electoral politics when he was elected to the Andhra Pradesh assembly in 1978. He returned to the assembly again in 1983 and also served as the BJP leader in the state assembly.
Strong reputation
Through his hard work and consistency, he built a strong reputation and caught the attention of the central leadership to become the vice-president of the national youth wing of the BJP.
He also held many other positions like the general secretary and the president of the State BJP. He became national general secretary of the party in 1993.
While serving on many other positions in the party, he emerged as the tallest and most seasoned BJP leader from the south.
Though he was never elected to the Lok Sabha and was in fact defeated from Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, Venkaiah Naidu was elected to Rajya Sabha for four consecutive terms from neighbouring state of Karnataka.
When the BJP came to power at the centre for the first time, Naidu became the union minister for rural development in Vajpayee cabinet in 2000. From 2002 to 2004, he served the party as national president.
When the BJP returned to power at the Centre in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inducted him into his cabinet and gave him the key portfolios of rural development, housing, poverty alleviation and parliamentary affairs.
Known for his repartee, and alliterations, Venkaiah Naidu often bowled the opponents over. Despite his clear and unwavering commitment to Sangh Parivar ideology, he always enjoyed good relations across the political spectrum. He remains unaffected by changing power equations in the BJP. After a very long association with L.K. Advani, he managed to strike a very good rapport with the new star of the party, Narendra Modi, as soon as it became clear that he will be the next prime minister.
Known for his repartee and alliterations, Naidu often bowled the opponents over. Despite his unwavering commitment to Sangh Parivar, he always enjoyed good relations across the political spectrum.