(FE)
Members of Parliament are set to elect India’s next Vice-President today. The NDA has fielded former Union minister Venkaiah Naidu against opposition’s Gopalkrishna Gandhi. In terms of numbers, Naidu appears to have an edge over Gandhi, but we will have to wait for the final result. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday almost predicted Naidu’s win while addressing MPs supporting Naidu. Modi noted that top posts like those of president and vice president will be held for the next five years by people from a identical ideology, a reference to their BJP background. “This is the first time that such an opportunity has arisen since Independence. There is strong possibility that we will be able to give a lot to the country in the next five years,” he said.
Naidu on Friday sought support from all parliamentarians. “I would like to assure that on being elected as the vice-president, it shall be my endeavour to defend and uphold the ideals that propelled the freedom struggle, the spirit and the principles of the Constitution of India, including justice, liberty, equality and fraternity and the cherished values of national unity and integration,” Naidu in a letter to MPs.
