BJP follows Bhairon Singh Shekhawat tradition by nominating Venkaiah Naidu as its vice presidential candidate

NEW DELHI: By nominating Venkaiah Naidu as its vice-presidential candidate, the BJP has upheld its “healthy tradition”, like its earlier choice of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, of selecting individuals for this post who have either served in the states or “been a voice of the states” by serving in the Council of States, party sources told ET.

While Shekhawat had years of experience as Rajasthan CM and MLA, Naidu has record Rajya Sabha and Parliamentary experience, party sources said. “Thus, Naidu remains a fitting candidate for the office of the vice-president and will add stature to the office,” a party source said, pointing out that Naidu has the maximum RS experience (member since 1998) among all previous V-Ps and will be the only Parliamentary Affairs Minister to serve in the post, if elected.

On Naidu’s selection by BJP, party sources said he has represented Karnataka and Rajasthan, thus representing both the North and the South in the Rajya Sabha, and hence his nomination was “fully in spirit of the position and duties” of V-P. A senior government official said by nominating one of their most experienced Rajya Sabha members for the office of V-P, the Modi government has shown the importance it gives to “cooperative federalism and healthy parliamentary functioning” as well as understands the “spirit and sensitivity of the office of the vice-president” since the most important role of the V-P is of being the chairman of Rajya Sabha.

“The credentials of Naidu are impeccable. The son of a farmer, he is a grassroots level and self-made politician. He has served as MLA and MP... He has also served as president of BJP. Thus, he has political, legislative and administrative experience,” an official said.