The ruling UPA has nominated Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari for the second term. The name of the 75-year-old Ansari was announced by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at a meeting of the Congress-led coalition at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence in New Delhi today.
In a brief statement, Sonia Gandhi said Mohd Hamid Ansari will complete shortly a term as Vice President of India. He has presided over the Rajya Sabha with dignity and distinction. She said the UPA is honoured to nominate him as its candidate for a second term as Vice President of India.
A career diplomat, Ansari was the only choice of the UPA which was approved at the meeting. Trinamool Congress representative and Railway Minister Mukul Roy also attended the meeting. Roy is believed to have suggested the name of former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi and former MP Krishna Bose.
But, he did not oppose the name of Ansari and applauded the candidature of Ansari when Sonia Gandhi announced it. Another UPA constituent VCK of Tamil Nadu reportedly suggested a Christian candidate but Hamid Ansari was the final choice of UPA.
Opposition NDA leaders are scheduled to meet tomorrow to finalise their strategy. NDA has not yet opened its cards on the issue, though the BJP is in favour of a contest.
Thirteen persons have filed their nominations till last evening. Papers of two of them have been rejected.
The last day for filing of nominations is the 20th of this month, a day after the Presidential poll. Voting is to be held on the 7th of next month.
If elected, Ansari, will create a record as only the second person in 50 years to get a consecutive term as Vice President after Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan.
Ansari has also served as Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. In 2007, Ansari was the choice for Vice President when Left parties, which were supporting the UPA-I government from outside, proposed his name and the Congress-led alliance accepted it. He had defeated Najma Heptuallah of BJP in the 2007 election securing 455 votes in an electoral college of 788.
Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party BSP today announced to support the UPA candidate Hamid Ansari for Vice President Elections.
In a statement issued this evening at Lucknow Party supremo Mayawati has said that she has informed her party`s decision to the Congress President Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh.
She has expressed confidence that Ansari will win in the elections with a huge margin. Mayawati has said Ansari has performed well in his responsibilities with full dedication and as per decorum of the post.
Union Agriculture Minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar has welcomed the candidature of Hamid Ansari as Vice President of India. He said in consultations, NCP has decided that Ansari's candidature is agreeable.He said Ansari's capability has been established beyond doubt in his first tenure as Vice President and Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
After the announcement, the Prime Minster rang up Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee and JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav seeking their support for Hamid Ansari.
