NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday filed his nomination papers flanked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Cabinet members, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari besides BJP president J P Nadda.
After filing his nomination, Dhankar who is all set to replace M Venkaiah Naidu given the numbers on his side, told the media that he will always strive to enhance democratic values.
Dhankhar highlighted his humble origins and said that he had never thought even in his dreams that an ordinary person from a farmer's family like him will get such a "historic" opportunity.
"And I am grateful to the prime minister and the leadership that a humble man like me from a 'kisan' family who would never have got an education but for a scholarship has been given this historic opportunity. I take it as a major milestone reflection on the events in which we are at this moment," he added. Janata Dal (United) chief Lalan Singh and BJD's Pinaki Misra were also present during his nomination for the August 6 election. Union ministers Pashupati Kumar Paras, Anupriya Patel and Ramdas Athawale, all BJP allies, were also present among others. Before filing his nomination, the former West Bengal governor attended a meeting of MPs from different parties supporting his candidature. The opposition has named Margaret Alva as its candidate for the vice presidential election.
Modi was among the senior leaders who were among proposers for his candidature. "Ministers, MPs and leaders from various parties accompanied Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji for the filing of his nomination papers. I am certain that he will be an excellent and inspiring Vice President," the prime minister tweeted. The electoral college for the poll comprises members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The BJP alone has 394 MPs out of the current strength of 780 with 391 being the majority mark.
The major parties which have already declared their support to Dhankhar include the JD(U), the BJD and the YSR Congress having 21, 21 and 31 MPs respectively.
This along with the BJP's 394, takes his support to 467 MPs. Several other parties, including the AIADMK with five MPs, Apna Dal with two MPs and a few from the Northeast have also pledged their support.
Nadda said Dhankhar's nomination is a matter of great pride for every citizen and asserted that he is the right candidate for the job. "His decades of experience in serving the nation in different roles and capacities with his erudition ensures that he is right candidate to become the vice president of our country. His life and commitment is an inspiration to every citizen," he said.