BJP president Amit Shah on Monday announced M Venkaiah Naidu's name as NDA candidate for the vice-presidential poll. He will contest against UPA’s candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
Shah said a discussion took place with all NDA allies who welcomed the decision. He informed that Shah will file his nomination at 11 am on Tuesday.
A meeting took place at party headquarters at 11, Ashoka Road which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other members of the board.
Meanwhile, Venkaiah Naidu has resigned as Minister of Urban Development and Information and Broadcasting. Sources say that he did so to set high political standard after being nominated as vice-presidential candidate.
Reacting to the news, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said it is a matter of great happiness that a farmer's son will become the next Vice President. he said Venkaiah ji is a dedicated person.
Delhi: NDA #VicePresidential candidate Venkaiah Naidu with BJP president Amit Shah and other BJP leaders. pic.twitter.com/53ndpUmf9z
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 17, 2017
Union minister Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu and Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao were the frontrunners for the second top constitutional post.
#FLASH: Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu named NDA's Vice Presidential candidate pic.twitter.com/n8QfoYfZYV
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 17, 2017
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was in favour of fielding a Vice-Presidential candidate who belong to upper caste and from South India.
Venkaiah ji has a lot of experience, all NDA allies have welcomed this decision: BJP President Amit Shah at a press conference in Delhi pic.twitter.com/TM5thMiQmj
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 17, 2017
It was said that RSS had given this suggestion because NDA has fielded a Dalit candidate Ram Nath Kovind for Presidential position. Ram Nath Kovind also belong to North India.