'Grateful to All Opposition Leaders': Margaret Alva Files Nomination for VP Poll

Alva will be up against Jagdeep Dhankhar in the Vice Presidential Elections scheduled to be held on 6 August.

Opposition Vice President candidate Margaret Alva on Tuesday, 19 July, filed her nomination for the Vice Presidential Elections scheduled to be held on 6 August.

(Photo: PTI)

Opposition Vice President candidate Margaret Alva on Tuesday, 19 July, filed her nomination for the Vice Presidential Elections scheduled to be held on 6 August. Tuesday is the last date for filing nominations for the vice presidential election.

She will be up against the NDA candidate, Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Tweeting after filing her papers, Alva said that she was grateful to all leaders of the Opposition for standing by her in solidarity.

Alva on Tuesday said elections do not frighten her as winning and losing is a part of life but the trust of Parliamentarians across parties will help her bring people together and build a strong and united India.

In a statement after filing her nomination papers for the 6 August vice presidential election, she said the coming together of the opposition to support her candidature for the post "is a metaphor of the reality that is India."

While filing her nomination, Alva was accompanied by several Opposition leaders including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP's Sharad Pawar, CPI-M's Sitaram Yechury, CPI's D Raja, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, and leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

Opposition parties vice presidential candidate Margaret Alva files her nomination papers in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and other opposition leaders at Parliament House.

Opposition parties Vice Presidential candidate Margaret Alva flashes victory sign with Rahul Gandhi, Vaiko and other opposition leaders after filing her nomination papers at Parliament House.

Opposition parties vice presidential candidate Margaret Alva files her nomination papers in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Sitaram Yechury, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Sanjay Raut and other opposition leaders at Parliament House.

Opposition parties vice presidential candidate Margaret Alva files her nomination papers in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and other opposition leaders at Parliament House.

Opposition parties vice presidential candidate Margaret Alva with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge during the filing of her nomination papers at Parliament House.

Opposition parties Vice Presidential candidate Margaret Alva files her nomination papers in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Sitaram Yechury, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and other opposition leaders at Parliament House.

Opposition parties vice presidential candidate Margaret Alva files her nomination papers in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Sharad Pawar, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and other opposition leaders at Parliament House.

Elections Don't Frighten Me, MPs' Trust Will Help Build United India

"We come from various corners of this great country, speak different languages, and follow different religions and customs. Our unity, in our diversity, is our strength," Alva said on Tuesday.

"We fight for what is important to us: To uphold the pillars of democracy, to strengthen our institutions, and for an India that is 'Saare Jahan Se Accha,' that belongs to each and every one of us, an India where there is respect for all," she said.

Alva said it was a privilege and honour to be nominated as the joint Opposition's candidate for the post of vice president of the Republic of India.

"I have spent my life fulfilling my commitments, with integrity and courage. Elections don't frighten me – winning and losing is a part of life," she said,

"However, it is my belief that the goodwill, trust, and affection of members across party lines in both houses of Parliament, that I've earned, will see me through and continue to guide me as one who works to bring people together, to find common solutions and helps build a strong and united India," the Congress veteran said.

Opposition's Unanimous Choice

A former Rajasthan governor, Alva was unanimously chosen as the joint Opposition candidate for the post of vice president on Sunday.

The electoral college for vice president's election includes all MPs of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members.

"It's a tough election without a doubt, but I'm not afraid to take on the challenge," she had said on Monday, while thanking the Opposition parties who are supporting her candidature.

The office of the vice president will fall vacant on 10 August, following the end of M Venkaiah Naidu's term.

(With inputs from PTI.)