Venkaiah seeks backing of all

The NDA’s vice-presidential candidate writes to all MPs of both Houses

M. Venkaiah Naidu

The NDA’s vice-presidential candidate, M. Venkaiah Naidu, wrote to all members of both Houses of Parliament soliciting support for the election on Saturday. In a two-page letter dated August 1, Mr. Naidu said he would “uphold the dignity of office and protect our collective constitutional inheritance”.

Public life

In his letter, Mr. Naidu goes into the details of his legislative experience and years in public life, both in Andhra Pradesh and at the Centre. He is a “firm believer in the principle of cooperative federalism”, a principle that would guide him if elected Chairperson of the the Rajya Sabha.

“The House of Elders may be required to play an even more important role in the years ahead as we seek to build a new and modern India that confers additional rights on every citizen and confers dignity on those who had hitherto lacked the ability to take full advantage of citizenship. As a rising nation, we have the onerous responsibility of overcoming poverty, illiteracy, social and gender discrimination, corruption and debasement of politics,” he said.

Referring to President Ram Nath Kovind’s inaugural address at the Central Hall of Parliament that credited India’s unity in diversity for the strength of the Republic, he said it would be his job to strengthen the hands of the President.

The challenges

He said the country today faced “the challenges posed by terrorism, climate change, economic and cultural globalisation and the opportunities and disruptions of technology. It shall be my endeavour to facilitate the proper conduct of the Rajya Sabha so that all honourable MPs can contribute their best to the making of a new India. I fully share the optimism of the 125 crore countrymen about their future and the country.”

Mr. Naidu is contesting against Gopalkrishna Gandhi who is the common candidate of the Opposition parties, the Janata Dal (U), a new NDA ally, and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which had voted for Mr. Kovind.

Mr. Gandhi, on his part, has sent postcards to all MPs, a three-paragraph missive that said that he was standing for the post of Vice-President to protect the ideals of the Constitution.