M Venkaiah Naidu, the former Union minister, becomes the 13th vice president of India beating, former West Bengal governor, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, vice presidential elections on Saturday. A total of 771 MPs voted in the election. Fourteen MPs did not vote which included two from BJP, two from INC, two from IUML, four from TMC, one from NCP, one from PMK and two Independent.
- NDA’s pick M Venkaiah Naidu becomes India’s 13th vice president with 516 votes
- PM Modi congratulated Naidu on his victory
- 771 of 785 MPs voted recording 96.94 percent voting
- Fourteen MPs did not vote which included two from BJP and two from INC
- Naidu was pitted against Opposition’s candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Venkaiah Naidu Addresses the Media
Rajya Sabha he will uphold dignity and decorum of the house with cooperation of all members.
"I am overwhelmed with the honour that has been conferred on a common man like me with a background of agriculture," he said.
Election Saw 2 Victories – 1 for Naidu, Another of Free Speech: Gandhi
Opposition's pick Gopalkrishna Gandhi congratulated Venkaiah Naidu on his win and said that the election saw two victories – one of Naidu and another of free speech. The second victory belongs to all the people of India, he added.
He thanked the all the MPs who voted for him and said that they voted for free speech and pluralism.
Thankful to PM and All Party Leaders For Their Support: Naidu
NDA nominee M Venkaiah Naidu was elected as the next Vice President of India by securing over two-thirds of votes leaving opposition candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi far behind.
Naidu got 516 votes out of total 771 votes cast while Gandhi could only manage 244 votes. Of the total 771 votes polled, 11 were found to be invalid.
"Coming from an agricultural background, I never imagined I would be here. Agriculture has no proper voice in Indian polity," India's vice president-elect told PTI.
“I am very humbled. I am also thankful to the Prime Minister and all party leaders for their support. I will seek to utilise the vice presidential institution to strengthen the hands of the president and secondly uphold the dignity of the Upper House,” he added.