Stage set for V-P poll: NDA authorises PM Modi, Nadda to finalise candidate

The ruling National Democratic Alliance on Thursday authorised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha JP Nadda to finalise the candidate for the September 9 vice-presidential election.

The NDA partners met in Parliament House today and the meeting resolved to give the Prime Minister and Nadda full authority to pick a name.

“The decision and the course decided by the Prime Minister will be acceptable to all NDA partners,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju after the NDA meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Asked if the government would try to build a consensus on the second-highest constitutional office with the Opposition, Rijiju said that’s the convention and the government would follow convention.

INDIA bloc has said it would put up a joint candidate.

The NDA meeting happened after the Election Commission today notified the poll, setting in process the election nominations.

The nominations end on August 21.

The election has been necessitated after the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21.