NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar was elected as the 14th Vice President of India on Saturday as he defeated joint Opposition candidate Margaret Alva. Dhankhar, a former governor of West Bengal, secured 528 votes while 80-year-old Alva got 182.
The numbers were stacked in favour of Dhankhar as the ruling BJP enjoys an absolute majority in Lok Sabha and has 91 members in Rajya Sabha. The BJP heads the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Even before the results were announced, celebrations had started outside the residence of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, where Dhankhar was present. Joyous scenes were also reported from Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu, the hometown of Dhankhar.
Soon after the announcement of the result, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief J P Nadda met Dhankhar and congratulated him. In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said;
“Congratulations to Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji on being elected India’s Vice President with resounding support across party lines. I am confident he will be an outstanding Vice President. Our nation will gain tremendously from his intellect and wisdom. @jdhankhar1”
“I thank all those MPs who have voted for Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji. At a time when India marks Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, we are proud to be having a Kisan Putra Vice President who has excellent legal knowledge and intellectual prowess. @jdhankhar1”.
Home Minister Amit Shah said it was a matter of pride that a “Kisan putra” was elected as the vice president. “Dhankhar in his long public life has been associated with the people. His keen understanding of the grassroots issues and experience will help the upper house,” Shah said.
Dhankhar, 71, will succeed M Venkaiah Naidu whose tenure ends on August 10. As many as 725 MPs cast their ballots in the poll, which is 92.94 per cent of total votes, an official said, adding 15 votes were declared invalid.
Members of Parliament, including nominated ones, are entitled to vote in the vice presidential poll. While the electoral college comprises 788 members, due to eight vacancies in Rajya Sabha, the actual strength is 780.
The Trinamool Congress had abstained from voting claiming it was not consulted while naming Alva as the opposition pick. However, two of its MPs—Sisir Kumar Adhikari and Dibyendu Adhikari—broke ranks and cast their ballots. The party has 36 MPs, including 23 in Lok Sabha.
The voter turnout this time was lower than 98.2 per cent recorded in the 2017 election when M Venkaiah Naidu was elected as the vice president. The rise of Dhankhar, 71, to become the next vice president has surprised many.
Dhankhar, who had been associated with the Janata Dal and the Congress, joined the BJP only in 2008 after a hiatus of nearly a decade when he concentrated on his legal career.
