M Venkaiah Naidu will take oath on Friday as India’s 13th Vice President. Nominated by the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, he won the Vice Presidential election last week. The swearing-in ceremony will take place in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan at 10 am.
Before the formal function, Naidu, 68, will pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat in the capital. He will then pay tributes to Jan Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyaya, Sardar Vallabhai Patel and Dr BR Ambedkar. Naidu won a total share of 67.9% votes in the 15th Vice-President election, defeating the opponent by bagging 516 votes. It was the highest vote share in 30 years.
Naidu quit as a senior cabinet minister in the NDA government and the ruling BJP after being named vice presidential candidate.
Outgoing Vice President Hamid Ansari, on Thursday, said there is a feeling of unease and a sense of insecurity among Muslims in the country and the atmosphere of acceptance is under threat. Naidu, seemed to take on Mr Ansari’s comments, saying such comments are ”political propaganda”.
