News Analysis India

Tag: Vice President

  • Four candidates likely to file nomination for Nepal’s Vice President’s post

    By PTI

    KATHMANDU:  As many as four candidates from Nepal’s three main political parties will be filing their nomination for the post of Vice President on Saturday, the election for which will take place on March 17.

    Filing of nominations will take place at the Parliament Building in New Baneshwor in Kathmandu from 9 am to 2 pm, according to Assistant Election Officer Amrita Kumari Sharma.

    Like the President, the Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising the members of the Federal Parliament (House of Representatives and the National Assembly) and the Provincial Assembly.

    The total number of voters is 882, including 332 federal Members of Parliament and 550 provincial assembly members.

    The vote weightage of the federal Member of Parliament is 79 and that of the provincial assembly member is 48.

    As per the Constitution, the president and vice president should represent different gender or ethnic groups. Four candidates are likely to register for nomination for the post of Vice President, according to party sources.

    CPN-UML has decided to field Ashta Laxmi Shakya as the candidate for the post of Vice President.

    Similarly, Janamat Party has decided to field Mamata Jha as the candidate for Vice President and Janata Samajwadi Party has decided to field Pramila Yadav and Ram Sahaya Yadav as the candidate.

    The voting for the post will be held on March 17. Jha and both the Yadav belong to the Madhesi community and they both are from the eight-party alliance.

    The Madhesi community in Nepal’s southern Terai region is mostly of Indian origin.

    KATHMANDU:  As many as four candidates from Nepal’s three main political parties will be filing their nomination for the post of Vice President on Saturday, the election for which will take place on March 17.

    Filing of nominations will take place at the Parliament Building in New Baneshwor in Kathmandu from 9 am to 2 pm, according to Assistant Election Officer Amrita Kumari Sharma.

    Like the President, the Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising the members of the Federal Parliament (House of Representatives and the National Assembly) and the Provincial Assembly.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The total number of voters is 882, including 332 federal Members of Parliament and 550 provincial assembly members.

    The vote weightage of the federal Member of Parliament is 79 and that of the provincial assembly member is 48.

    As per the Constitution, the president and vice president should represent different gender or ethnic groups. Four candidates are likely to register for nomination for the post of Vice President, according to party sources.

    CPN-UML has decided to field Ashta Laxmi Shakya as the candidate for the post of Vice President.

    Similarly, Janamat Party has decided to field Mamata Jha as the candidate for Vice President and Janata Samajwadi Party has decided to field Pramila Yadav and Ram Sahaya Yadav as the candidate.

    The voting for the post will be held on March 17. Jha and both the Yadav belong to the Madhesi community and they both are from the eight-party alliance.

    The Madhesi community in Nepal’s southern Terai region is mostly of Indian origin.

  • Startled there was no whisper in Parliament after SC struck down NJAC Act: Dhankhar

    The NJAC Act, which sought to overturn the collegium system of appointing Supreme Court and high court judges, was struck down by the top court which described it as unconstitutional.

  • Vice President-elect Jagdeep Dhankhar visits Raj Ghat ahead of swearing in 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Jagdeep Dhankhar, who will be sworn in as the 14th Vice President of India on Thursday afternoon, began his day by visiting Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

    “Felt blessed, inspired and motivated to be ever in service of Bharat in serene sublimity of Raj Ghat while paying respects to Pujya Bapu,” Dhankhar tweeted.

    Dhankar’s oath ceremony will take place at 12.30 pm in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

    NEW DELHI: Jagdeep Dhankhar, who will be sworn in as the 14th Vice President of India on Thursday afternoon, began his day by visiting Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

    “Felt blessed, inspired and motivated to be ever in service of Bharat in serene sublimity of Raj Ghat while paying respects to Pujya Bapu,” Dhankhar tweeted.

    Dhankar’s oath ceremony will take place at 12.30 pm in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

  • 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)

  • If elected as VP, Dhankhar will be the second Jat leader: Facts to know

    Dhankhar's election as the vice president is almost a certainty as the BJP has a majority in the electoral college comprising the members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

  • India deeply values Qatar’s role in its energy security: VP Naidu

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said India deeply values Qatar’s role in its energy security and underscored the need to move beyond buyer-seller relationship into a comprehensive energy partnership.

    Naidu reached Qatar on Saturday on the last leg of his three-nation tour. He is the first ever vice president of India to visit the State of Qatar.

    The vice president called on Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, father of Amir of Qatar and held delegation level talks with Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Qatar on Sunday.

    Highlighting that India and Qatar have historic ties built on mutual trust and respect, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, father of Amir of Qatar hoped that more investments can be made by Qatar in India and more industrial and business houses can establish economic ties with Qatar.

    The vice president and father of the Amir agreed that there is a huge potential to diversify trade between the two countries, a statement issued by the Vice President Secretariat said.

    Appreciating that Qatar’s investment in India has grown five times since March 2020, Naidu opined, “it is still well below potential and can be substantially increased”. He also said that there is a keen interest in the private Indian business community to build partnerships with Qatar.

    The vice president lauded Qatar for emerging as an education hub in the region and expressed happiness over several Indian universities opening offshore campuses there. He thanked Qatari leadership for taking care of the 7.8 lakh Indians in Qatar.

    “We are happy to note that Indians are found in all walks of life and have become a part and parcel of Qatar’s developmental journey,” the statement said quoting Naidu.

    Naidu also reiterated the Indian community’s long-standing request for a prayer hall and a crematorium in Qatar.

    Referring to the landmark visits by the Amir to India in 2015 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Qatar in 2016, Naidu said the relations are driven by close chemistry between the leadership of the two countries.

    Observing that nearly 40 per cent of India’s gas requirements are met from Qatar, Naidu said that India deeply values Qatar’s role in its energy security and underscored the need to move beyond buyer-seller relationship into a comprehensive energy partnership.

  • Sanjay Raut claims some people approached him to help topple Maha govt; writes to Vice President

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has written a letter to Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, claiming he was approached by “certain people” who asked him to assist in toppling the MVA government in Maharashtra so that the state could be forced into mid-term elections.

    Raut, who is the Rajya Sabha member, asserted that the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government will complete its five-year term, and said he will not bow down and will continue to speak the truth.

    He claimed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other central agencies were being used with the “oblique motive” of toppling democratically elected governments. In the letter to Naidu, who is also the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Raut said central agencies like the ED were “systematically targeting” Shiv Sena leaders, after the party formed the (MVA) government in Maharashtra with the NCP and Congress after severing ties with its old ally BJP.

    Raut requested Naidu to take note of the “abuse of power” and alleged harassment of Rajya Sabha members, and said the vice president should also speak up and take action in this connection.

    Seeking to put up a brave face, the Rajya Sabha member also said he is “not scared and will not bow down”, and will continue to speak truth both inside and outside the House.

    The Shiv Sena’s chief spokesperson wrote the letter to Naidu on Tuesday and also sent its copies to leaders like Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and NCP president Sharad Pawar.

    Addressing reporters in Delhi on Wednesday, Raut said the letter was “just a trailer”, and he will expose how (some) ED personnel were allegedly running a “criminal syndicate of the BJP”.

    “About a month ago, I was approached by certain people and was told to assist them in toppling the state government in Maharashtra. They wanted me to be instrumental in such an endeavour so that the state could be forced into a mid-term election,” Raut alleged in the letter.

    Raut further said he refused to be a part of the “clandestine” agenda, and claimed he was told that his refusal would lead to him “paying a heavy price”.

    The Sena leader claimed he was even told that his fate could be like that of a former railway minister who spent many years in jail.

    “I was even warned that apart from me, two other senior ministers in the Maharashtra cabinet would also be sent behind bars under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act), which would lead to mid-term elections in the Maharashtra, with all important leaders in the state being behind bars,” he said.

    Raut said the law to prevent money laundering became effective on January 17, 2003.

    But, transactions which took place before that date and had nothing to do with money laundering are being investigated by the central agencies with the “oblique and ulterior motive” of harassing and terrorising political opponents of the BJP, he said.

    “ED and other central agencies are being used with the oblique motive of toppling democratically elected governments, which is certainly not a healthy sign for any country where democracy prevails,” he added.

    Raut accused the ED of threatening people who sold land to him and his family about 17 years ago and in 2012-13, forcing them (the sellers) into issuing statements against him.

    The Shiv Sena leader said the decorators and other vendors roped in for his daughter’s wedding function were also being “intimidated and threatened so as to extract statements” that they received Rs 50 lakh in cash from him.

    He alleged that the ED and other agencies have unlawfully picked up 28 people in these connections so far.

    “I, with all due humility, wish to state that I am not scared, nor am I going to bow down, and I will continue to speak the truth, both in the House and outside the House,” the parliamentarian said.

    Raut said he perceives actions of the central agencies as an attack on his right to speak freely and on democracy.

    “I urge you to not just take note of the abuse of power to perpetuate intimidation and harassment of members of the Rajya Sabha, but also to speak up and take action,” Raut said in the letter to Naidu.

    Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Raut targeted the Centre, alleging that the voice of opposition leaders is being suppressed in a more severe manner now than during the time of Emergency.

    “But they (BJP) are under an illusion and people like us will not fall for such oppressive actions or forces.

    I can understand the pain they are feeling since the Maharashtra government was formed.

    They should fight politically.

    .

    .

    the agencies like ED and others have become part of the criminal syndicate of the BJP or their masters,” he alleged.

    Raut said his letter to Naidu is not even a trailer and that he will expose how the ED “runs a syndicate, blackmails and engages in money laundering”.

    “You think we will bow down? The baseless people from the BJP have often been saying that I will be put in the lock-up next to that of (former Maharashtra minister) Anil Deshmukh (arrested by the ED in a money laundering case).

    “It’s alright, we will go.

    But keep in mind you will also land in the lock-up next to us, because you have committed more sins, while we are clear.

    We are not afraid of you,” the Sena leader said.

    Asked about the people who made him the offer of toppling the Maharashtra government, Raut said he will talk about it in near future, but claimed it was “a joint venture of leaders from Delhi and Mumbai”.

    He also alleged that two-three people were issuing orders to the ED in Mumbai on whom to be summoned or tortured.

    “I appeal to (BJP leader) Devendra Fadnavis and he knows what I have got to say,” Raut added.

    Later, without naming anyone, Raut also said that “you won’t be able to go to Nagpur if we take on you”.

    “…the ED will pay the price for it and I am ready to pay whatever price for the country and for the agency’s reputation,” he added.

    Notably, Nagpur is the hometown of former Maharashtra CM Fadnavis.

    Raut also said the Shiv Sena is being troubled since it won the Dadra and Nagar Haveli Lok Sabha bypoll held last year.

    He said the Shiv Sena will expand and contest 100 seats in the Lok Sabha polls in future.

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  • Vice-President Naidu’s granddaughter gives Rs 50 lakh for treatment of kids by cutting wedding cost

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: On Children’s Day, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu’s granddaughter Sushma contributed Rs 50 lakh for the treatment of children with heart ailments belonging to weaker sections of the society by cutting down on her wedding expenditure, sources said.

    Set to be married next month, she had vowed to cut on her marriage expenditure so that her grandparents and parents could contribute Rs 50 lakh for the cause, they said.

    A cheque of Rs 50 lakh was given to Hyderabad-based ‘Hrudaya – Cure a Little Heart Foundation’ in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah at Nellore in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.

    Shah was the chief guest at the 20th anniversary of Swarna Bharati Trust being run by Naidu’s daughter Deepa Venkat.

    The trust has been engaged in the empowerment of rural women and youth through vocational training, skill development etc.

    Amit Shah complimented the Sushma and her parents, Harshvardhan and Radha, for their noble gesture and the trust for its dedication to the cause of rural people.

  • Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu asks governors to oversee implementation of Centre’s initiatives

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday urged governors of states and lieutenant governors of Union Territories to be proactive in overseeing the implementation of the Central government’s programmes and in mobilising people for nation-building initiatives.

    Addressing a conference of governors and lieutenant governors here, he urged them to “monitor and guide” the initiatives launched by the Central government inspired by the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath — Sabka Prayas’ to ensure the nation’s progress with effective public participation.

    Naidu shared with the participants his thoughts and concerns over a range of issues, including environmental protection, promotion of entrepreneurship among farmers, healthcare for all, and promotion of constitutional values and ethics in public life.

    Referring to the vast experience of governors in public life, the vice-president stressed that they have an important role in shaping policies and their execution, ensuring effective utilisation of scarce resources and ensuring probity and ethics in public life.

    “Governors and Lt. Governors should function not only as a constitutional authority but with the moral authority of an elder statesman,” Naidu underlined, adding they should pioneer environmental protection, preserve culture and nature for a better future.

    The vice-president urged the governors and L-Gs to ensure that governance and public life are marked by strict adherence to the philosophy and provision of the Constitution.

    He also called for effective implementation of the new National Education Policy, especially laying greater emphasis on education through mother tongue.

    Amid growing concerns over climate change, Naidu urged the governors to promote a people’s movement for climate-friendly actions such as plantation of trees, water conservation, environment-friendly construction, waste management, among others.

    Lauding India’s efforts in administering over 100 crore anti-Covid vaccines, the vice-president asked the governors to ensure tracking and doing the needful to overcome vaccine hesitancy.

    He also called for lifestyle changes for healthy living and ensuring access for all to healthcare facilities.

  • Our leaders will routinely travel to Arunachal Pradesh as they do to any other state: India tells China

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday strongly rejected China’s objection to a recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, asserting that the state is an “integral and inalienable” part of India.

    External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said objecting to the visit of Indian leaders to a state of India “does not stand to reason and understanding” of Indian people.

    “We have noted the comments made today by the Chinese official spokesperson. We reject such comments. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India,” Bagchi said.

    He was responding to a question on comments by a spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry objecting to Naidu’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh over the weekend.

    “Indian leaders routinely travel to the state of Arunachal Pradesh as they do to any other state of India. Objecting to the visit of Indian leaders to a state of India does not stand to reason and understanding of Indian people,” Bagchi said.

    China has been objecting to visits of Indian leaders to Arunachal Pradesh, saying it is a part of South Tibet.

    The fresh war of words between the two sides came three days after the 13th round of military talks on the 17-month eastern Ladakh standoff ended in a stalemate.

    “Further, as we have mentioned earlier, the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas has been caused by unilateral attempts of the Chinese side to alter the status quo in violation of the bilateral agreements,” Bagchi said.

    The government often refers to eastern Ladakh as Western Sector.

    “Therefore, we expect the Chinese side to work towards early resolution of the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh while fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols rather than trying to link unrelated issues,” Bagchi said.

    A day after the 13th round of military talks, Indian Army said the “constructive suggestions” made by it were neither agreeable to the Chinese side nor it could provide any “forward-looking” proposals.

    On its part, the Chinese PLA’s Western Theatre Command said India insisted on “unreasonable and unrealistic demands, adding difficulties to the negotiations.”