Tag: Margaret Alva

  • Jagdeep Dhankhar elected India’s 14th Vice President

    By Online Desk

    National Democratic Alliance (NDA)’s candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar has been elected India’s 14th Vice President on Saturday. He secured 528 votes. Opposition pick Margaret Alva who got 182 votes has lost.

    Dhankar reached Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi’s residence at 11 Akbar Road before the announcement of the results for the Vice Presidential Election.

    Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh, who was the presiding officer for the 16th Vice Presidential election, said that of the 780 MPs eligible to cast votes, 725 MPs cast their vote. Fifteen votes were found invalid and 710 votes were valid.

    Described as ‘Kisan-Putra (farmer’s son)’ by the BJP, Dhankhar had said that he had never thought that a person like him with a modest background” would get the opportunity to serve as the second highest Constitutional post.

    “I was born in a farmer’s family. I had to walk around 6km to my school,” said Dhankhar, who recently quit as West Bengal Governor.

    He was appointed as the Governor of West Bengal in 2019.

    Around 93 per cent polling was recorded in the vice presidential election on Saturday, with more than 50 MPs not exercising their franchise.

    Officials said of the total 780 MPs, as many as 725 MPs voted till 5 pm when the polling concluded.

    The Trinamool Congress, which has 39 MPs, including 23 in Lok Sabha, had already announced its decision to abstain from the election.

    However, two of its MPs — Sisir Kumar Adhikari and Dibyendu Adhikari — broke ranks and cast their ballots.

    The next Vice-President of the country will take the oath of office on August 11, a day after the term of the incumbent Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu ends.

    Janata Dal (United), YSRCP, BSP, AIADMK had announced support for Dhankhar. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) extended support to Alva.

    READ HERE | Jagdeep Dhankhar: From confrontations with Mamata to running for Vice-President’s post

    Polling to elect the next Vice President of India began at 10 am.

    The counting of votes began at 6 pm.

    The Vice President of India, which is the second-highest constitutional post in the country, is elected through an electoral college consisting of members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

    All MPs of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, are entitled to vote in the vice presidential election.

    The two Houses of Parliament together have a sanctioned strength of 788 MPs, of which there are eight vacancies in the Upper House.

    The Vice President of India is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

    (With agency inputs)

    National Democratic Alliance (NDA)’s candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar has been elected India’s 14th Vice President on Saturday. He secured 528 votes. Opposition pick Margaret Alva who got 182 votes has lost.

    Dhankar reached Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi’s residence at 11 Akbar Road before the announcement of the results for the Vice Presidential Election.

    Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh, who was the presiding officer for the 16th Vice Presidential election, said that of the 780 MPs eligible to cast votes, 725 MPs cast their vote. Fifteen votes were found invalid and 710 votes were valid.

    Described as ‘Kisan-Putra (farmer’s son)’ by the BJP, Dhankhar had said that he had never thought that a person like him with a modest background” would get the opportunity to serve as the second highest Constitutional post.

    “I was born in a farmer’s family. I had to walk around 6km to my school,” said Dhankhar, who recently quit as West Bengal Governor.

    He was appointed as the Governor of West Bengal in 2019.

    Around 93 per cent polling was recorded in the vice presidential election on Saturday, with more than 50 MPs not exercising their franchise.

    Officials said of the total 780 MPs, as many as 725 MPs voted till 5 pm when the polling concluded.

    The Trinamool Congress, which has 39 MPs, including 23 in Lok Sabha, had already announced its decision to abstain from the election.

    However, two of its MPs — Sisir Kumar Adhikari and Dibyendu Adhikari — broke ranks and cast their ballots.

    The next Vice-President of the country will take the oath of office on August 11, a day after the term of the incumbent Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu ends.

    Janata Dal (United), YSRCP, BSP, AIADMK had announced support for Dhankhar. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) extended support to Alva.

    READ HERE | Jagdeep Dhankhar: From confrontations with Mamata to running for Vice-President’s post

    Polling to elect the next Vice President of India began at 10 am.

    The counting of votes began at 6 pm.

    The Vice President of India, which is the second-highest constitutional post in the country, is elected through an electoral college consisting of members of the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

    All MPs of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, are entitled to vote in the vice presidential election.

    The two Houses of Parliament together have a sanctioned strength of 788 MPs, of which there are eight vacancies in the Upper House.

    The Vice President of India is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

    (With agency inputs)

  • Margaret Alva vs Jagdeep Dhankhar: Polling to elect next Vice-President begins; PM Modi casts vote

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Polling to elect the next Vice President of India began at 10 am, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi being among the first ones to cast vote.

    The polling will continue till 5 pm, following which the counting of ballots will take place.

    National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee and former West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar (71) is pitted against joint Opposition candidate Margaret Alva (80).

    With the ruling BJP having an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha and 91 members in the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar has a clear edge over his rival.

    He is likely to succeed incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu, whose tenure ends on August 10.

    All MPs of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, are entitled to vote in the vice presidential election.

    The two Houses of Parliament together have a sanctioned strength of 788 MPs, of which there are eight vacancies in the Upper House.

    Hence, 780 MPs are eligible to cast their ballot in this election.

    NEW DELHI: Polling to elect the next Vice President of India began at 10 am, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi being among the first ones to cast vote.

    The polling will continue till 5 pm, following which the counting of ballots will take place.

    National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee and former West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar (71) is pitted against joint Opposition candidate Margaret Alva (80).

    With the ruling BJP having an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha and 91 members in the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar has a clear edge over his rival.

    He is likely to succeed incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu, whose tenure ends on August 10.

    All MPs of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, are entitled to vote in the vice presidential election.

    The two Houses of Parliament together have a sanctioned strength of 788 MPs, of which there are eight vacancies in the Upper House.

    Hence, 780 MPs are eligible to cast their ballot in this election.

  • Margaret Alva vs Jagdeep Dhankhar: Around 93 per cent of MPs vote in vice presidential poll; over 50 MPs skip

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Around 93 per cent polling was recorded in the vice presidential election on Saturday, with more than 50 MPs not exercising their franchise.

    Officials said of the total 780 MPs, as many as 725 MPs voted till 5 pm when the polling concluded.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his predecessor Manmohan Singh cast their ballots early in the day, while opposition leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi voted a little after noon, the officials said.

    The Trinamool Congress, which has 39 MPs, including 23 in Lok Sabha, has already announced its decision to abstain from the election.

    However, two of its MPs — Sisir Kumar Adhikari and Dibyendu Adhikari — broke ranks and cast their ballots.

    Polling to elect the next Vice President of India began at 10 am, with Modi being among the first ones to vote.

    Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in a wheelchair and needed support to stand up and vote.

    CPM MP John Brittas was among those who helped the veteran leader in exercising his franchise.

    The two-term former prime minister greeted those present with folded hands.

    Margaret Alva at the Vice Presidential election venue. (Photo | EPS)

    Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president J P Nadda, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Commerce Minister and Leader of House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal were among the leaders who turned up early at the Parliament House.

    Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi, who has contracted COVID-19, voted wearing a PPE kit.

    “Satisfied that I could perform my duties as a third term parliamentarian in the #VP elections, even if in extraterrestrial attire!” he tweeted.

    While two BJP MPs — Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dhotre — did not vote, among the prominent opposition MPs who were absent during voting included Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shafiqur Rahman Barq (both Samajwadi Party).

    The counting of votes will begin at 6 pm.

    With the ruling BJP having an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha and 91 members in the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar has a clear edge over his rival.

    He is likely to succeed incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu, whose tenure ends on August 10.

    All MPs of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, are entitled to vote in the vice presidential election.

    The two Houses of Parliament together have a sanctioned strength of 788 MPs, of which there are eight vacancies in the Upper House.

    NEW DELHI: Around 93 per cent polling was recorded in the vice presidential election on Saturday, with more than 50 MPs not exercising their franchise.

    Officials said of the total 780 MPs, as many as 725 MPs voted till 5 pm when the polling concluded.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his predecessor Manmohan Singh cast their ballots early in the day, while opposition leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi voted a little after noon, the officials said.

    The Trinamool Congress, which has 39 MPs, including 23 in Lok Sabha, has already announced its decision to abstain from the election.

    However, two of its MPs — Sisir Kumar Adhikari and Dibyendu Adhikari — broke ranks and cast their ballots.

    Polling to elect the next Vice President of India began at 10 am, with Modi being among the first ones to vote.

    Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in a wheelchair and needed support to stand up and vote.

    CPM MP John Brittas was among those who helped the veteran leader in exercising his franchise.

    The two-term former prime minister greeted those present with folded hands.

    Margaret Alva at the Vice Presidential election venue. (Photo | EPS)

    Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president J P Nadda, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Commerce Minister and Leader of House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal were among the leaders who turned up early at the Parliament House.

    Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi, who has contracted COVID-19, voted wearing a PPE kit.

    “Satisfied that I could perform my duties as a third term parliamentarian in the #VP elections, even if in extraterrestrial attire!” he tweeted.

    While two BJP MPs — Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dhotre — did not vote, among the prominent opposition MPs who were absent during voting included Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shafiqur Rahman Barq (both Samajwadi Party).

    The counting of votes will begin at 6 pm.

    With the ruling BJP having an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha and 91 members in the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar has a clear edge over his rival.

    He is likely to succeed incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu, whose tenure ends on August 10.

    All MPs of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, are entitled to vote in the vice presidential election.

    The two Houses of Parliament together have a sanctioned strength of 788 MPs, of which there are eight vacancies in the Upper House.

  • Vice presidential polls: Alva gets AAP, TRS support; numbers stacked in favour of NDA’s Dhankhar

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Members of Parliament of both houses will vote on Saturday to elect the next Vice President of India in an election where NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar is pitted against Opposition pick Margaret Alva.

    With numbers stacked in favour of the NDA, former West Bengal governor Dhankhar is set for an easy win.

    Cracks were visible in opposition unity as Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress decided to abstain from voting alleging lack of consultations while deciding on the name of Alva.

    The 80-year-old Alva is a Congress veteran and has served as governor of Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, while the 71-year-old Dhankhar is a Jat leader from Rajasthan with socialist background.

    Alva, however, received the backing of regional party Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Friday, two days after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) lent their support to the opposition candidate.

    The AIMIM has also extended its support to Alva.

    With the support of some regional parties like the Janta Dal (United), YSRCP, BSP, AIADMK and Shiv Sena, the NDA nominee is likely to get over 515 votes, enough for a comfortable win for him.

    Alva is likely to get over 200 votes, going by the support announced by parties for her candidature so far.

    The Trinamool Congress, which has 23 MPs in Lok Sabha and 16 in Rajya Sabha, has decided to stay away from the vice presidential election.

    “If Parliament is to function effectively, MPs, independent of their parties, must find ways to rebuild trust and restore broken communication amongst each other. In the end, it is the MPs who determine the character of our Parliament,” Alva said in a fresh video message ahead of elections.

    She said she has seen debates and differences and yet an atmosphere of give and take, which is now lacking.

    “The time has come for all parties to get together and to restore the faith and the trust in each other and restore the dignity of Parliament,” Alva said in her fresh appeal to MPs.

    Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge also hosted a dinner on Thursday night to thank all opposition MPs who are supporting Alva.

    Dhankhar, on the other hand met a number of BJP MPs at his residence on Friday.

    These include Sushil Kumar Modi, Gautam Gambhir, Rajyavardhan Rathore, Rajendra Agrawal, Pradeep Choudhary and Kartikeya Sharma, among others.

    He has been meeting party MPs while seeking their support for the poll.

    While polling will be held from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, the ballots will be counted immediately after that.

    By late Saturday evening, the returning officer will announce the name of the next vice president.

    Members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, are eligible to vote in the vice presidential poll.

    The term of incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu ends on August 10.

    The vice president is also the chairperson of Rajya Sabha.

    The electoral college in the vice presidential election comprises a total of 788 members of both Houses of Parliament.

    Since all the electors are members of both Houses of Parliament, the value of vote of each MP would be the same — one, the Election Commission has said.

    The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote and the voting at such election is by secret ballot.

    There is no concept of open voting in this election and showing the ballot to anyone under any circumstances in the case of presidential and vice-presidential elections is totally prohibited, the EC has cautioned, adding that parties cannot issue whip to its MPs in the matter of voting.

    Unlike the presidential poll where voting takes place in multiple locations as elected MLAs, not nominated, also form part of the electoral college, in the vice presidential election, voting takes place in Parliament House.

    NEW DELHI: Members of Parliament of both houses will vote on Saturday to elect the next Vice President of India in an election where NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar is pitted against Opposition pick Margaret Alva.

    With numbers stacked in favour of the NDA, former West Bengal governor Dhankhar is set for an easy win.

    Cracks were visible in opposition unity as Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress decided to abstain from voting alleging lack of consultations while deciding on the name of Alva.

    The 80-year-old Alva is a Congress veteran and has served as governor of Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, while the 71-year-old Dhankhar is a Jat leader from Rajasthan with socialist background.

    Alva, however, received the backing of regional party Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Friday, two days after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) lent their support to the opposition candidate.

    The AIMIM has also extended its support to Alva.

    With the support of some regional parties like the Janta Dal (United), YSRCP, BSP, AIADMK and Shiv Sena, the NDA nominee is likely to get over 515 votes, enough for a comfortable win for him.

    Alva is likely to get over 200 votes, going by the support announced by parties for her candidature so far.

    The Trinamool Congress, which has 23 MPs in Lok Sabha and 16 in Rajya Sabha, has decided to stay away from the vice presidential election.

    “If Parliament is to function effectively, MPs, independent of their parties, must find ways to rebuild trust and restore broken communication amongst each other. In the end, it is the MPs who determine the character of our Parliament,” Alva said in a fresh video message ahead of elections.

    She said she has seen debates and differences and yet an atmosphere of give and take, which is now lacking.

    “The time has come for all parties to get together and to restore the faith and the trust in each other and restore the dignity of Parliament,” Alva said in her fresh appeal to MPs.

    Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge also hosted a dinner on Thursday night to thank all opposition MPs who are supporting Alva.

    Dhankhar, on the other hand met a number of BJP MPs at his residence on Friday.

    These include Sushil Kumar Modi, Gautam Gambhir, Rajyavardhan Rathore, Rajendra Agrawal, Pradeep Choudhary and Kartikeya Sharma, among others.

    He has been meeting party MPs while seeking their support for the poll.

    While polling will be held from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, the ballots will be counted immediately after that.

    By late Saturday evening, the returning officer will announce the name of the next vice president.

    Members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, are eligible to vote in the vice presidential poll.

    The term of incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu ends on August 10.

    The vice president is also the chairperson of Rajya Sabha.

    The electoral college in the vice presidential election comprises a total of 788 members of both Houses of Parliament.

    Since all the electors are members of both Houses of Parliament, the value of vote of each MP would be the same — one, the Election Commission has said.

    The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote and the voting at such election is by secret ballot.

    There is no concept of open voting in this election and showing the ballot to anyone under any circumstances in the case of presidential and vice-presidential elections is totally prohibited, the EC has cautioned, adding that parties cannot issue whip to its MPs in the matter of voting.

    Unlike the presidential poll where voting takes place in multiple locations as elected MLAs, not nominated, also form part of the electoral college, in the vice presidential election, voting takes place in Parliament House.

  • ‘Big Brother always listening to politicians’ phone calls in new India’: Alva’s jibe at Centre

    Alva had earlier said she has been unable to make or receive calls after she spoke to some 'friends in the BJP'.

  • ‘Can’t just say we don’t have numbers so we won’t fight election’: Margaret Alva on contesting V-P polls

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The joint Opposition candidate for the vice presidential election Margaret Alva may be fighting a lost battle with numbers firmly stacked against her and due to the growing disunity among non-BJP parties, but she has said she is hardly perturbed and feels the numbers can always swing.

    “We can’t just sit back and say we don’t have the numbers, so we won’t fight an election,” she added.

    With less than a fortnight to go for the August 6 vice presidential election, the former governor told PTI in an interview Mamata Banerjee has “enough time” to rethink her party Trinamool Congress’ decision to abstain from the poll.

    The multi-term parliamentarian also shared her thoughts about the changes she has witnessed over the years in public life.

    “It is frightening when I look around,” she says.

    “You cannot eat what you want, you cannot wear what you want, you cannot say what you want, you cannot even meet people what you want. What is this time?” she says.

    Alva will launch her campaign for the poll Monday afternoon, meeting MPs of various parties in the Central Hall of Parliament Excerpts from the interview:

    The numbers in the electoral college are clearly stacked against the Opposition and some ask why contest a losing battle?

    Because the numbers are stacked against us, we should not fight the election? I think in a democratic system, win or loss, you have to accept the challenge and place your point of view before your MPs who are now in the electoral college.

    We have a different point of view from the government and the need is for those who are on a common platform to accept the challenge.

    I was approached by the opposition parties to be their representative in this election, and though I had gone back to Bangalore and settled in, I thought this challenge had to be faced and I said yes.

    We all understand winning and losing are part of an election.

    The Opposition TMC has said that they will abstain from the vice presidential poll. How do you see their position?

    I am aghast at that announcement. Mamata (Banerjee) has been leading the entire movement to unite the Opposition. She has been my friend for many years and I believe that there is enough time for her to change her mind.

    Does this not expose disunity in the Opposition?

    It’s like a family quarrel. There are sometimes differences, different perceptions, and maybe different situations. But, we will sit and talk and sort it out. She is very much part of us and her basic ideology is that of Congress. I always consider her one of us. I believe we can sit and sort out any differences that have arisen.

    She has been fighting the BJP all along. There is no way she can help the BJP win.

    The recent presidential poll has also exposed a lot of chinks in the Opposition. There was cross-voting in several states in favour of NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu.

    The same thing can happen and votes can come to this side. Cross-voting is something which has become the rule of the day. The idea of electing a tribal woman, I think, played a very important part and she deserves to become the President.  I congratulate her.

    She was the first tribal woman candidate and I am the first woman vice presidential candidate from the South.

    What is your objective in contesting this vice presidential poll knowing already what the outcome would be?

    The objective is not mine. The Opposition parties wanted a person who was acceptable to all of them and they requested me to be their candidate. And though the numbers are stacked against the Opposition at the moment, I said yes and accepted the challenge.

    We can’t just sit back and say we don’t have the numbers so we don’t fight an election. And in an election like this, the numbers can swing.

    Yashwant Sinha, the Opposition candidate in the recently-concluded presidential poll, alleged there was the use of money power in the election.

    The tragedy is that in today’s democratic system, it is not the mandate of the people that prevails. Take Karnataka, take Maharashtra, take Madhya Pradesh. In various states, the mandate of the people is ignored and muscle power, money power, and threats change the composition of the elected framework.

    You have been an accomplished politician and served as governor of four states. Do you think it would reflect better on national unity if the president and vice president were elected by consensus?

    I agree. The government should, therefore, think of supporting me.

    It would have been good if a consensus would have been worked out for both these posts by negotiating with all the parties.

    How do you view the emphatic win of Droupadi Murmu?

    I think it was a foregone conclusion because the MLAs also voted and the BJP had also the states. Yet, I must say Mr Sinha put up a very impressive fight. He raised issues and points which are of concern to the country today. There are always differences of opinion, even between the BJP and its allies on many issues.

    Opposition parties are making efforts to sink their differences and work together. Before the general elections, I think they feel the need and the urgency of finding a common platform to face the challenge of 2024. There might be ups and downs, differences. But the intention is clear. They are concerned and they want to make a point. The Constitution has to be defended and democratic institutions have to be protected.

    We do not want a one-party rule.

    You have been a presiding officer in both the Houses of Parliament, what do you have to say on the politics of disruptions emerging as a regular feature in Parliament.

    It is very unfortunate.

    But the point is why are there disruptions? It is because the Chair is unable to work out compromises and work out a way by which the point of view of the Opposition and their demands for discussion and debate can be worked into the agenda of the House.

    You can’t just pass 22 bills in 12 minutes, without debate, without discussion, without any kind of consideration. Even budgetary grants have been passed without debate in the House. And this is the taxpayers’ money, which the representatives must have a say.

    How can democracy function like this? The government’s slogan seems to be either my way or no way. For the last three days, they have been asking for a discussion on the GST. Things like foodstuffs being taxed and prices going up because of new GST rules. You don’t allow a discussion and you don’t want to hear a point of view which is different from yours.

    It is the people suffering outside – common people, the voter, the taxpayer.

    There have also been questions about the need for an upper house, and it has been projected as an obstructionist House.

    The Upper House has seen stalwarts, who stood up, who fought, who differed, who attacked the government, and Indira Gandhi or whoever they wanted as prime minister. But there was debate, there was the right to speak and you’ve listened.

    After all, what is Parliament but a chamber for discussion, debate, and for working out compromises and consensus? The majority votes, let them vote, but the point of view of the minority in the House cannot be brushed aside.

    They are elected representatives of their states, of their constituencies.

    Your opponent has been a former Governor of West Bengal. Your assessment.

    He has been a Governor, I have been a Governor. He has been a lawyer and so am I. Well, he has been fighting a woman (West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee) in the state, and now he is fighting another woman in the election. Something in his stars. He has also been an MP and a minister.

    He has also been known for his strong political positions.

    Therefore, he is being rewarded. I have also been a governor and you are supposed to be non-partisan. You are supposed to help your government function. There is a Lakshman Rekha, which you have to keep in mind, once you are in the Raj Bhawan. You can’t sit there and function as the representative of your party. I think it is unethical and unconstitutional.

    It is rather strange that none of your children is in politics, whereas you come from a political family.

    My youngest son is in politics. My parents-in-law were the first couple in Parliament, both were freedom fighters.

    What is your take on dynastic politics, because the prime minister has been attacking family-based parties.

    How many are there in the BJP? I don’t want to name them.

    Every single political party has its quota of family members who either succeed or come in after their parents or grandparents. If a doctor’s son or a lawyer’s son can join his profession, or a businessman’s son joins his business, what is wrong in family members coming in (politics).

    But they must come in by merit. They have to fight elections. They have to be accepted by the people. In a democracy, if the people elect you, you are in and if the people reject you, you are out. Both Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi were defeated in the 1977 elections. The ultimate barometer is acceptance by people.

    Did you always want to be in politics or was it just by chance?

    I never imagined I would get into politics, though I was very active in the student movement. I married into a political family and came to Delhi. I had no intention, when I got married, of getting into politics.

    The 1969 split of the Congress sort of ignited young people to support Indira Gandhi. My mother-in-law died at that time and there was tremendous pressure to step in. The rest is history.

    How do you look back at your innings in politics?

    I must say that it was a different world when we came in. There was idealism, there was a commitment that we felt we had to fulfil. They were the early years of India’s independence. There were problems, but the spirit of a united nation without differences of community and religion. Caste politics has always been there.

    But, it wasn’t what it is today. There was tolerance, there was acceptance, there was understanding. If I may say so, a tolerant society. Today, it is frightening when I look around. It’s a different world altogether.

    You cannot eat what you want, you cannot wear what you want, you cannot say what you want, you cannot even meet people what you want. What is this time? Look at the Central Hall of Parliament.

    It was a place where you fought in the House but came out and sat together and joked, had a cup of coffee or tea or dosa together, and joked about the fight in the House.

    Now, people are afraid to sit. I had a couple of BJP friends with whom I had a cup of tea and I was told they were asked what they were talking about with me.

    Who has been your political mentor?

    Let me be honest – Indira Gandhi. She handpicked me for Parliament, after having heard me on a public platform in the state. And, of course, my parents-in-law with whom I worked very closely.

    But let me make it very clear that after the 1969 split, I have risen from a block president, which is the lowest unit of the Congress party, and have held every post and became a general secretary.

    But the opportunity was given to me by my party and its leadership. I became an MP, a minister and a general secretary.

    Hard work, commitment, and honest politics have been my watchword.

    NEW DELHI: The joint Opposition candidate for the vice presidential election Margaret Alva may be fighting a lost battle with numbers firmly stacked against her and due to the growing disunity among non-BJP parties, but she has said she is hardly perturbed and feels the numbers can always swing.

    “We can’t just sit back and say we don’t have the numbers, so we won’t fight an election,” she added.

    With less than a fortnight to go for the August 6 vice presidential election, the former governor told PTI in an interview Mamata Banerjee has “enough time” to rethink her party Trinamool Congress’ decision to abstain from the poll.

    The multi-term parliamentarian also shared her thoughts about the changes she has witnessed over the years in public life.

    “It is frightening when I look around,” she says.

    “You cannot eat what you want, you cannot wear what you want, you cannot say what you want, you cannot even meet people what you want. What is this time?” she says.

    Alva will launch her campaign for the poll Monday afternoon, meeting MPs of various parties in the Central Hall of Parliament Excerpts from the interview:

    The numbers in the electoral college are clearly stacked against the Opposition and some ask why contest a losing battle?

    Because the numbers are stacked against us, we should not fight the election? I think in a democratic system, win or loss, you have to accept the challenge and place your point of view before your MPs who are now in the electoral college.

    We have a different point of view from the government and the need is for those who are on a common platform to accept the challenge.

    I was approached by the opposition parties to be their representative in this election, and though I had gone back to Bangalore and settled in, I thought this challenge had to be faced and I said yes.

    We all understand winning and losing are part of an election.

    The Opposition TMC has said that they will abstain from the vice presidential poll. How do you see their position?

    I am aghast at that announcement. Mamata (Banerjee) has been leading the entire movement to unite the Opposition. She has been my friend for many years and I believe that there is enough time for her to change her mind.

    Does this not expose disunity in the Opposition?

    It’s like a family quarrel. There are sometimes differences, different perceptions, and maybe different situations. But, we will sit and talk and sort it out. She is very much part of us and her basic ideology is that of Congress. I always consider her one of us. I believe we can sit and sort out any differences that have arisen.

    She has been fighting the BJP all along. There is no way she can help the BJP win.

    The recent presidential poll has also exposed a lot of chinks in the Opposition. There was cross-voting in several states in favour of NDA nominee Droupadi Murmu.

    The same thing can happen and votes can come to this side. Cross-voting is something which has become the rule of the day. The idea of electing a tribal woman, I think, played a very important part and she deserves to become the President.  I congratulate her.

    She was the first tribal woman candidate and I am the first woman vice presidential candidate from the South.

    What is your objective in contesting this vice presidential poll knowing already what the outcome would be?

    The objective is not mine. The Opposition parties wanted a person who was acceptable to all of them and they requested me to be their candidate. And though the numbers are stacked against the Opposition at the moment, I said yes and accepted the challenge.

    We can’t just sit back and say we don’t have the numbers so we don’t fight an election. And in an election like this, the numbers can swing.

    Yashwant Sinha, the Opposition candidate in the recently-concluded presidential poll, alleged there was the use of money power in the election.

    The tragedy is that in today’s democratic system, it is not the mandate of the people that prevails. Take Karnataka, take Maharashtra, take Madhya Pradesh. In various states, the mandate of the people is ignored and muscle power, money power, and threats change the composition of the elected framework.

    You have been an accomplished politician and served as governor of four states. Do you think it would reflect better on national unity if the president and vice president were elected by consensus?

    I agree. The government should, therefore, think of supporting me.

    It would have been good if a consensus would have been worked out for both these posts by negotiating with all the parties.

    How do you view the emphatic win of Droupadi Murmu?

    I think it was a foregone conclusion because the MLAs also voted and the BJP had also the states. Yet, I must say Mr Sinha put up a very impressive fight. He raised issues and points which are of concern to the country today. There are always differences of opinion, even between the BJP and its allies on many issues.

    Opposition parties are making efforts to sink their differences and work together. Before the general elections, I think they feel the need and the urgency of finding a common platform to face the challenge of 2024. There might be ups and downs, differences. But the intention is clear. They are concerned and they want to make a point. The Constitution has to be defended and democratic institutions have to be protected.

    We do not want a one-party rule.

    You have been a presiding officer in both the Houses of Parliament, what do you have to say on the politics of disruptions emerging as a regular feature in Parliament.

    It is very unfortunate.

    But the point is why are there disruptions? It is because the Chair is unable to work out compromises and work out a way by which the point of view of the Opposition and their demands for discussion and debate can be worked into the agenda of the House.

    You can’t just pass 22 bills in 12 minutes, without debate, without discussion, without any kind of consideration. Even budgetary grants have been passed without debate in the House. And this is the taxpayers’ money, which the representatives must have a say.

    How can democracy function like this? The government’s slogan seems to be either my way or no way. For the last three days, they have been asking for a discussion on the GST. Things like foodstuffs being taxed and prices going up because of new GST rules. You don’t allow a discussion and you don’t want to hear a point of view which is different from yours.

    It is the people suffering outside – common people, the voter, the taxpayer.

    There have also been questions about the need for an upper house, and it has been projected as an obstructionist House.

    The Upper House has seen stalwarts, who stood up, who fought, who differed, who attacked the government, and Indira Gandhi or whoever they wanted as prime minister. But there was debate, there was the right to speak and you’ve listened.

    After all, what is Parliament but a chamber for discussion, debate, and for working out compromises and consensus? The majority votes, let them vote, but the point of view of the minority in the House cannot be brushed aside.

    They are elected representatives of their states, of their constituencies.

    Your opponent has been a former Governor of West Bengal. Your assessment.

    He has been a Governor, I have been a Governor. He has been a lawyer and so am I. Well, he has been fighting a woman (West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee) in the state, and now he is fighting another woman in the election. Something in his stars. He has also been an MP and a minister.

    He has also been known for his strong political positions.

    Therefore, he is being rewarded. I have also been a governor and you are supposed to be non-partisan. You are supposed to help your government function. There is a Lakshman Rekha, which you have to keep in mind, once you are in the Raj Bhawan. You can’t sit there and function as the representative of your party. I think it is unethical and unconstitutional.

    It is rather strange that none of your children is in politics, whereas you come from a political family.

    My youngest son is in politics. My parents-in-law were the first couple in Parliament, both were freedom fighters.

    What is your take on dynastic politics, because the prime minister has been attacking family-based parties.

    How many are there in the BJP? I don’t want to name them.

    Every single political party has its quota of family members who either succeed or come in after their parents or grandparents. If a doctor’s son or a lawyer’s son can join his profession, or a businessman’s son joins his business, what is wrong in family members coming in (politics).

    But they must come in by merit. They have to fight elections. They have to be accepted by the people. In a democracy, if the people elect you, you are in and if the people reject you, you are out. Both Indira Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi were defeated in the 1977 elections. The ultimate barometer is acceptance by people.

    Did you always want to be in politics or was it just by chance?

    I never imagined I would get into politics, though I was very active in the student movement. I married into a political family and came to Delhi. I had no intention, when I got married, of getting into politics.

    The 1969 split of the Congress sort of ignited young people to support Indira Gandhi. My mother-in-law died at that time and there was tremendous pressure to step in. The rest is history.

    How do you look back at your innings in politics?

    I must say that it was a different world when we came in. There was idealism, there was a commitment that we felt we had to fulfil. They were the early years of India’s independence. There were problems, but the spirit of a united nation without differences of community and religion. Caste politics has always been there.

    But, it wasn’t what it is today. There was tolerance, there was acceptance, there was understanding. If I may say so, a tolerant society. Today, it is frightening when I look around. It’s a different world altogether.

    You cannot eat what you want, you cannot wear what you want, you cannot say what you want, you cannot even meet people what you want. What is this time? Look at the Central Hall of Parliament.

    It was a place where you fought in the House but came out and sat together and joked, had a cup of coffee or tea or dosa together, and joked about the fight in the House.

    Now, people are afraid to sit. I had a couple of BJP friends with whom I had a cup of tea and I was told they were asked what they were talking about with me.

    Who has been your political mentor?

    Let me be honest – Indira Gandhi. She handpicked me for Parliament, after having heard me on a public platform in the state. And, of course, my parents-in-law with whom I worked very closely.

    But let me make it very clear that after the 1969 split, I have risen from a block president, which is the lowest unit of the Congress party, and have held every post and became a general secretary.

    But the opportunity was given to me by my party and its leadership. I became an MP, a minister and a general secretary.

    Hard work, commitment, and honest politics have been my watchword.

  • Enough time for Mamata Banerjee to change mind, says vice presidential candidate Margaret Alva

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Opposition’s vice presidential candidate Margaret Alva Saturday described the prevailing situation in the non-BJP camp as a “family quarrel”, but asserted they are clear they don’t want a one-party rule and were working to “sink the differences” and unite for the 2024 challenge.

    The 80-year-old Alva, who faces an uphill task in the August 6 vice presidential poll, also said the Opposition was clear in its intention that the Constitution has to be defended and democratic institutions protected.

    In an interview to PTI, the former governor said, “The tragedy of today’s democratic system is that the mandate of people does not prevail and muscle and money power, and threats change the composition of the elected framework.”

    On frequent disruptions seen in Parliament, the multi-term parliamentarian said these interruptions were happening because the Chair was “unable to work out compromises” and consider the Opposition’s viewpoint.

    “How can a democracy function with the government slogan seemingly being ‘my way or no way’.”

    Alva has been fielded by the Opposition for the vice presidential poll contest against the ruling NDA’s Jagdeep Dhankhar, but the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress has announced it will abstain from the election.

    READ HERE | From cross-voting to abstaining from voting, chinks in Opposition unity exposed

    Alva admitted she was “aghast at the announcement” the TMC would abstain.

    “Mamata has been leading the entire movement to unite the opposition,” Alva said.

    “She has been my friend for many years and I believe that there is enough time for her to change her mind”, Alva said.

    On Saturday, Alva met Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal to seek his support for her vice presidential bid.

    On dynastic politics, which has been frequently been deprecated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a threat to democracy, Alva said there is nothing wrong in children of politicians coming in.

    “But they have to win elections and the confidence of people and be accepted.”

    Alva, a former Congress general secretary, had questioned the denial of a party ticket to her son in the 2008 Karnataka elections when wards of leaders in other states had been accommodated.

    On her rival Dhankhar’s tenure as West Bengal governor, she said there is a ‘Lakshman Rekha’ a Raj Bhawan occupant needs to respect. “It is unethical and unconstitutional to function as a party representative when holding the constitutional office,” Alva said.

    Downplaying the apparent cracks in the Opposition betrayed by the cross-voting in the presidential poll on July 18, Alva said, “Opposition parties are making efforts to sink their differences and work together before the general elections. I think they feel the need and the urgency of finding a common platform to face the challenge of 2024. There might be ups and downs, differences but the intention is clear, they are concerned and they want to make a point. The Constitution has to be defended and democratic institutions have to be protected. We do not want a one-party rule.”

    The veteran Congress leader, who has spent nearly 50 years in politics, said the differences in the Opposition bloc were “like a family quarrel” which would be resolved.

    “We will sit and sort it out,” she said, adding “She (Mamata) is very much part of us and her basic ideology is that of the Congress. I always consider her one of us. I believe we can sit and sort out any differences that have arisen. She has been fighting the BJP all along. There is no way she can help the BJP win.”

    The Congress veteran, who has served as governor of Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, also favoured consensus on the posts of president and vice president, saying the government should take the initiative and engage various parties and forge a common ground.

    On the status of democracy in the country, she said “it is not the mandate of the people that prevails” these days.

    “In various states, the mandate of the people is ignored and muscle power, money power and threats change the composition of the elected framework,” Alva said, citing the examples of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.

    She added, “Today, it is frightening when I look around. It’s a different world altogether. You cannot eat what you want, you cannot wear what you want, you cannot say what you want, you cannot even meet people what you want. What is this time?” She said parliamentary disruptions are unfortunate.

    “The point is why are there disruptions?” she asked.

    “It is because the Chair is unable to work out compromises and work out a way by which the point of view of the opposition and their demands for discussion and debate can be worked into the agenda of the house. You can’t just pass 22 bills in 12 minutes, without debate, without discussion,” the opposition candidate said.

    “How can a democracy function like this? The government’s slogan seems to be either my way or no way. You don’t allow a discussion and you don’t want to hear a point of view which is different from yours. It is the people suffering outside — common people, the voter, the taxpayer”, Alva noted.

    Noting that she has been a governor and a lawyer — her vice presidential poll rival Dhankhar has also served as governor and lawyer — she said, “He (Dhankhar) has been fighting a woman in the state (West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee) and now he is fighting another woman in the election. Something in his stars.”

    Alva said Dhankhar is “being rewarded” for the hard political stance he took as West Bengal governor.

    “I have also been a governor and you are supposed to be non-partisan. You are supposed to help your government function. There is a Lakshman Rekha, which you have to keep in mind once you are in the Raj Bhawan. You can’t sit there and function as the representative of your party. I think it is unethical and unconstitutional.”

    READ HERE | VP polls: TMC’s decision to abstain from voting disappointing, says Alva; not against her: Trinamool

    Speaking about her own journey, Alva said Indira Gandhi was her political mentor.

    “Indira ji handpicked me for Parliament, but my in-laws helped me grow. The numbers in the electoral college are heavily against Alva, but she said in democracy it was important to accept the challenge, notwithstanding the considerations of victory or loss. Because the numbers are stacked against us, should we not fight the election? I think in a democratic system, win or loss, you have to accept the challenge and place your point of view before your MPs who are now the electoral college. We have a different point of view from the government and the need is for those who are on a common platform to accept the challenge,” Alva said.

    The veteran leader also pointed to her struggles saying she has come up the ladder of politics — from block level to being MP, minister and governor — all by the virtue of “hard work, commitment and clean politics”.

    “This is another chapter,” said Alva, who had returned to Bengaluru to settle, but returned when called upon by the Opposition to fight the August 6 election.

    NEW DELHI: The Opposition’s vice presidential candidate Margaret Alva Saturday described the prevailing situation in the non-BJP camp as a “family quarrel”, but asserted they are clear they don’t want a one-party rule and were working to “sink the differences” and unite for the 2024 challenge.

    The 80-year-old Alva, who faces an uphill task in the August 6 vice presidential poll, also said the Opposition was clear in its intention that the Constitution has to be defended and democratic institutions protected.

    In an interview to PTI, the former governor said, “The tragedy of today’s democratic system is that the mandate of people does not prevail and muscle and money power, and threats change the composition of the elected framework.”

    On frequent disruptions seen in Parliament, the multi-term parliamentarian said these interruptions were happening because the Chair was “unable to work out compromises” and consider the Opposition’s viewpoint.

    “How can a democracy function with the government slogan seemingly being ‘my way or no way’.”

    Alva has been fielded by the Opposition for the vice presidential poll contest against the ruling NDA’s Jagdeep Dhankhar, but the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress has announced it will abstain from the election.

    READ HERE | From cross-voting to abstaining from voting, chinks in Opposition unity exposed

    Alva admitted she was “aghast at the announcement” the TMC would abstain.

    “Mamata has been leading the entire movement to unite the opposition,” Alva said.

    “She has been my friend for many years and I believe that there is enough time for her to change her mind”, Alva said.

    On Saturday, Alva met Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal to seek his support for her vice presidential bid.

    On dynastic politics, which has been frequently been deprecated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a threat to democracy, Alva said there is nothing wrong in children of politicians coming in.

    “But they have to win elections and the confidence of people and be accepted.”

    Alva, a former Congress general secretary, had questioned the denial of a party ticket to her son in the 2008 Karnataka elections when wards of leaders in other states had been accommodated.

    On her rival Dhankhar’s tenure as West Bengal governor, she said there is a ‘Lakshman Rekha’ a Raj Bhawan occupant needs to respect. “It is unethical and unconstitutional to function as a party representative when holding the constitutional office,” Alva said.

    Downplaying the apparent cracks in the Opposition betrayed by the cross-voting in the presidential poll on July 18, Alva said, “Opposition parties are making efforts to sink their differences and work together before the general elections. I think they feel the need and the urgency of finding a common platform to face the challenge of 2024. There might be ups and downs, differences but the intention is clear, they are concerned and they want to make a point. The Constitution has to be defended and democratic institutions have to be protected. We do not want a one-party rule.”

    The veteran Congress leader, who has spent nearly 50 years in politics, said the differences in the Opposition bloc were “like a family quarrel” which would be resolved.

    “We will sit and sort it out,” she said, adding “She (Mamata) is very much part of us and her basic ideology is that of the Congress. I always consider her one of us. I believe we can sit and sort out any differences that have arisen. She has been fighting the BJP all along. There is no way she can help the BJP win.”

    The Congress veteran, who has served as governor of Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, also favoured consensus on the posts of president and vice president, saying the government should take the initiative and engage various parties and forge a common ground.

    On the status of democracy in the country, she said “it is not the mandate of the people that prevails” these days.

    “In various states, the mandate of the people is ignored and muscle power, money power and threats change the composition of the elected framework,” Alva said, citing the examples of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.

    She added, “Today, it is frightening when I look around. It’s a different world altogether. You cannot eat what you want, you cannot wear what you want, you cannot say what you want, you cannot even meet people what you want. What is this time?” She said parliamentary disruptions are unfortunate.

    “The point is why are there disruptions?” she asked.

    “It is because the Chair is unable to work out compromises and work out a way by which the point of view of the opposition and their demands for discussion and debate can be worked into the agenda of the house. You can’t just pass 22 bills in 12 minutes, without debate, without discussion,” the opposition candidate said.

    “How can a democracy function like this? The government’s slogan seems to be either my way or no way. You don’t allow a discussion and you don’t want to hear a point of view which is different from yours. It is the people suffering outside — common people, the voter, the taxpayer”, Alva noted.

    Noting that she has been a governor and a lawyer — her vice presidential poll rival Dhankhar has also served as governor and lawyer — she said, “He (Dhankhar) has been fighting a woman in the state (West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee) and now he is fighting another woman in the election. Something in his stars.”

    Alva said Dhankhar is “being rewarded” for the hard political stance he took as West Bengal governor.

    “I have also been a governor and you are supposed to be non-partisan. You are supposed to help your government function. There is a Lakshman Rekha, which you have to keep in mind once you are in the Raj Bhawan. You can’t sit there and function as the representative of your party. I think it is unethical and unconstitutional.”

    READ HERE | VP polls: TMC’s decision to abstain from voting disappointing, says Alva; not against her: Trinamool

    Speaking about her own journey, Alva said Indira Gandhi was her political mentor.

    “Indira ji handpicked me for Parliament, but my in-laws helped me grow. The numbers in the electoral college are heavily against Alva, but she said in democracy it was important to accept the challenge, notwithstanding the considerations of victory or loss. Because the numbers are stacked against us, should we not fight the election? I think in a democratic system, win or loss, you have to accept the challenge and place your point of view before your MPs who are now the electoral college. We have a different point of view from the government and the need is for those who are on a common platform to accept the challenge,” Alva said.

    The veteran leader also pointed to her struggles saying she has come up the ladder of politics — from block level to being MP, minister and governor — all by the virtue of “hard work, commitment and clean politics”.

    “This is another chapter,” said Alva, who had returned to Bengaluru to settle, but returned when called upon by the Opposition to fight the August 6 election.

  • VP polls: TMC’s decision to abstain from voting disappointing, says Alva; not against her: Trinamool

    Trinamool Congress said it has taken a 'principled strand' of abstaining to protest against the way her name was 'unilaterally' decided by other opposition parties.

  • Vice presidential poll: Accept nomination with ‘great humility’, says Margaret Alva

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Joint opposition candidate for the vice presidential election Margaret Alva on Sunday said she accepts with “great humility” her nomination for the August 6 poll and thanked leaders of various parties for reposing faith in her.

    Alva (80) was unanimously chosen by leaders of 17 opposition parties to be the joint opposition candidate for the country’s second top constitutional post.

    The former Rajasthan governor is pitted against NDA candidate and West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar.

    “It is a privilege and an honour to be nominated as the candidate of the joint opposition for the post of Vice President of India. I accept this nomination with great humility and thank the leaders of the opposition for the faith they’ve put in me. Jai Hind,” Alva tweeted soon after the opposition parties announced her name.

    The leaders of various opposition parties had met at the residence of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar to decide on the common candidate for the vice president’s election. The last date for filing nominations is July 19.

    NEW DELHI: Joint opposition candidate for the vice presidential election Margaret Alva on Sunday said she accepts with “great humility” her nomination for the August 6 poll and thanked leaders of various parties for reposing faith in her.

    Alva (80) was unanimously chosen by leaders of 17 opposition parties to be the joint opposition candidate for the country’s second top constitutional post.

    The former Rajasthan governor is pitted against NDA candidate and West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar.

    “It is a privilege and an honour to be nominated as the candidate of the joint opposition for the post of Vice President of India. I accept this nomination with great humility and thank the leaders of the opposition for the faith they’ve put in me. Jai Hind,” Alva tweeted soon after the opposition parties announced her name.

    The leaders of various opposition parties had met at the residence of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar to decide on the common candidate for the vice president’s election. The last date for filing nominations is July 19.