News Politics National Venkaiah Naidu will serve nation as diligent, dedicated Vice President: PM Modi

Venkaiah Naidu will serve nation as diligent, dedicated Vice President: PM Modi

NDA nominee Naidu was on Saturday elected the next Vice President of India, defeating opposition candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi by a margin of 272 votes.

PM Modi offers sweets to VP-elect Venkaiah Naidu at his residence in New Delhi PM Modi offers sweets to VP-elect Venkaiah Naidu at his residence in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that M Venkaiah Naidu will serve the nation as diligent and dedicated Vice President after he was announced winner in the poll.

"Congratulations to M. Venkaiah Naidu Garu on being elected India's Vice President. My best wishes for a fruitful and motivating tenure," Modi said in a series of tweets.

"I am confident M Venkaiah Naidu will serve the nation as a diligent and dedicated Vice President, committed to the the goal of nation building," he said.

He also said that his mind was filled with memories of working with Naidu, in the party and government. "Will cherish this aspect of our association," Modi added.

NDA nominee Naidu was on Saturday elected the next Vice President of India, defeating opposition candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi by a margin of 272 votes. Naidu secured 516 votes while Gandhi got 244 votes. Of the 771 votes polled, 11 votes were declared invalid.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi too extended best wishes to the Vice President elect.

“The position of the Vice President of India has the crucial challenge of assuming a non-partisan role in running 'The House of Elders', which acts as a store house of wisdom and sage advice for the government. House of Elders is an important determinant of our democratic functioning to address appropriate checks and balances,” she said in a statement issued here. 

She also offered Congress party's support in further strengthening the Upper House for effective scrutiny of legislations and government policies.