Venkaiah Naidu Vs Gopalkrishna Gandhi: VP Face-off on 5 August

Both Naidu and Gandhi filed their nomination papers on Tuesday.

Gopalkrishna Gandhi versus Venkaiah Naidu.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

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• Venkaiah Naidu and Gopalkrishna Gandhi filed their nomination papers on Tuesday
  
• Naidu resigned from the I&B and Urban Development Ministries
  
• Smriti Irani was given the additional charge of the I&B Ministry
• Narendra Tomar took charge of the Urban Development ministry
  
• VP elections are scheduled to be held on 5 August
  

Updated at:18th Jul, 2017 at 1:42 PM

Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Venkaiah Naidu File Nominations

M Venkaiah Naidu and Gopalkrishna Gandhi filed their nominations for the post of Vice President in the presence of NDA and Congress leaders, respectively.

After filing his nomination, Naidu expressed gratitude to all those who supported him.

Also Read: How Is the Vice President of India Elected?

I am thankful to Narendra Modiji, Amit Shahji and all the NDA parties, including AIADMK, Telangana Rashtra Samiti, YSR Congress and Indian National Lok Dal, for extending their support. Some more friends are expected to support me.

Venkaiah Naidu

He said there is no need for him to campaign as all the MPs who are going to vote know him too well. He also announced his resignation from the BJP, adding, “Now, I do not belong to any party”. He said that he hoped to do justice to the post of the Vice President of India.

The Opposition’s vice presidential candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi, who filed his nomination in the Parliament in the presence of Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, among others, said, “I have accepted the invitation with a sense of gratitude and responsibility.”

The Opposition in India is a very large entity and 18 parties have asked me to be their vice presidential candidate, he added.

I am an ordinary citizen, and I am not associated with any party. My views are my own. I am not here to oppose any person or party. I am here with all humility to place before electors, the aspirations of citizens.  

Gopalkrishna Gandhi

Updated at:18th Jul, 2017 at 2:54 PM

Mulayam Singh, TRS, AIADMK Faction Pledge Support to Naidu

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s party Telangana Rashtra Samiti has pledged their support for NDA’s vice presidential candidate Venkaiah Naidu.

AIADMK’s O Panneerselvam faction has also extended support to NDA vice presidential candidate Venkaiah Naidu.

Naidu on Tuesday thanked Mulayam Singh for extending his support.

Updated at:18th Jul, 2017 at 1:36 PM

Smriti Irani gets Additional Charge of I&B, Narendra Tomar gets Urban Development

After Venkaiah Naidu resigned as Union minister, the additional charge of Ministry of Urban Development was given to Narendra Tomar and Smriti Irani was given the additional charge of I&B ministry.

Read the full story here.

Updated at:18th Jul, 2017 at 1:42 PM

Venkaiah Naidu Resigns as Union Minister

Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu resigned, on Monday, after he was chosen as the NDA's candidate for the vice presidential election.

The BJP Parliamentary board, in a meeting on Monday, picked Naidu for contesting the poll for vice president, the post he is almost certain to occupy.

A source said Naidu has tendered his resignation. He was holding two portfolios of Information and Broadcasting, and Housing and Urban Affairs.

Although Naidu was not required to resign technically, he has tendered his resignation to set high political standards as he has entered the electoral fray (for vice presidential position).

Updated at:18th Jul, 2017 at 10:37 AM

Admire Naidu's Hard Work, Tenacity: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his appreciation for NDA vice presidential nominee Venkaiah Naidu. He said he has “always admired his hard work and tenacity”. He added that years of parliamentary experience will help him discharge the role of Rajya Sabha chairperson.

Updated at:18th Jul, 2017 at 1:50 PM

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NDA Allies Welcome Decision: Amit Shah

BJP President Amit Shah said that all the NDA allies have welcomed Venkaiah Naidu’s nomination for vice presidency.

Venkaiah ji has a lot of experience, all NDA allies have welcomed this decision.

Amit Shah, BJP President

He added that Naidu will file nomination for the polls on Tuesday at 11 am.

Updated at:18th Jul, 2017 at 1:50 PM

Venkaiah Naidu BJP's VP Nominee

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu will be BJP’s vice presidential nominee. The BJP made the announcement post parliamentary board meeting on Monday.

The elections for vice presidency is scheduled to be held on 5 August.

Updated at:18th Jul, 2017 at 1:50 PM

BJP Parliamentary Board to Decide Vice-President Candidate

The BJP parliamentary board will meet in Delhi on Monday evening to pick the ruling NDA's vice presidential candidate. The meeting is expected after the voting for the presidential poll ends.

There is speculation that the saffron party may pick a candidate from a region where it has been traditionally weak so as to send out a positive message. Its chief Amit Shah has identified states like Kerala, Telangana and West Bengal as the new growth region for the party.

As was the case with its presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit seen as a surprise pick, the party might go for a face that will help it politically.

Names of Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and O Rajagopal are being mentioned as probables.

An alliance of 18 opposition parties, including the Congress, has already announced Gopalkrishna Gandhi as its candidate for vice presidential poll scheduled for August 5.

Also Read: Who is Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Opposition’s Pick For Vice President?

Updated at:18th Jul, 2017 at 1:50 PM

Offices of President and Vice-President Are Under Siege: Sonia Gandhi

Speaking at the Opposition parties’ meeting ahead of presidential polls, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said that the position of President and Vice-President “are under siege” today. She said,

The President and Vice-President are the constitutional heads of state. They are entrusted to discharge duties of offices in a manner that preserves, protects, defends both Constitution and the law. Both of these are, sadly, under siege today.

Leaders of opposition parties gather for a meeting at the Parliament Annexe ahead of the presidential elections. The opposition's candidates are Meira Kumar and Gopalkrishna Gandhi for the post of President and Vice President, respectively.

Together, Meiraji, Gopalkrishnaji will give us best possible President & Vice-President to steer society through crisis that has beset our country. In these contests,numbers may be against us. But battle must be fought – and fought hard.

Updated at:18th Jul, 2017 at 1:54 PM

Don't Save Those Involved in Corruption, Says PM Modi

At the all-party meeting, PM Modi said that people involved in corruption should not be saved, adding that the image of a political leader has taken a beating because of this. Modi also appeared to be taking a dig at RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who is facing fresh corruption charges, as he sought cooperation in fight against corruption.

Modi also thanked everyone for the implementation of the GST, calling it a "shining example of co-operative federalism".

He told the all-party meeting that 30 per cent of total expenditure and 49 per cent of spending in the infrastructure sector had already taken place before the monsoon started due to the advancement of the budget.

On the issue of Kashmir and tensions with China, Kumar said the government had a meeting with opposition leaders and every party has said they were with the government on matters of national security.

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Updated at:16th Jul, 2017 at 3:18 PM