August 05, 2017: Former Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu will be the new Vice President of India as he defeated Gopal Krishna Gandhi by 272 votes. Voting to elect the 13th Vice President was conducted today with 98.21 per cent polling recorded.
There was a straight fight between NDA’s candidate M Venkaiah Naidu and Opposition nominee Gopalkrishna Gandhi. Briefing media in New Delhi, Returning Officer Shemsher K Sharif said Venkaiah Naidu received 516 votes against Gopalkrishna Gandhi’s 244 votes.
771 votes out of 785 votes were cast in the elections. 14 MPs did not cast their votes. The newly elected Vice President will take oath on the 11th of August. Venkaiah Naidu has served as the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Information and Broadcasting in the present government.
Vice President elect Venkaiah Naidu today promised to uphold the Constitution and the high standards set by his esteemed predecessors. In a series of tweets, he expressed gratitude to every MP who supported his candidature cutting across party lines. Later, he said he will try to take everyone along with him. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leaders of different political parties for their support.
Vice President Mohd Hamid Ansari congratulated Vice President-elect, M. Venkaiah Naidu on his election as the next Vice President. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Venkaiah Naidu on being elected as country’s next Vice President.
Talking to media, the opposition candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi thanked all Members of Parliament who voted for him. He said the number that voted for him is beyond expectations.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has extended best wishes to the Vice President elect, Mr Venkaiah Naidu. She offered Congress party’s support in further strengthening the Upper House for effective scrutiny of legislation and government policies. (AIR News)
