The BJP has sprung another surprise on the Opposition by nominating its senior functionary – the Minister for Information and Public Relations and Urban Development, Venkaiah Naidu. This time the combined Opposition parties barring Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) which has not as yet decided which way to go, has lent its support to the candidature of former West Bengal Governor, Gopal Krishna Gandhi who was named by West Bengal CM, Mamata Banerjee. Naidu is one of the most responsive and hard working minister in the NDA Government. He is both articulate and well meaning and is perhaps one of the few who has won the trust of NGOs that harbour a commitment to clean up India’s urban mess. Naidu’s exit from the Ministry might be a setback to the much touted Swacch Bharat campaign which Naidu faithfully followed through. Clearly the choice of a person from the South India and one without blemish in his political career shows the accuracy of the Modi-Shah calculation as also a fitting rebuttal to the Opposition candidate who has already made his intentions clear that his being set up for the post of VP is a narrative of an India that needs to remain rooted to a secular, inclusive and democratic principles. The NDA is yet to gain ground in the Rajya Sabha and is determined to have its own trusted aide there to ensure that the rug is not pulled from under its feet by the cantankerous Upper House if led by a liberal thinker like Gandhi.
Naidu is said to have wept inconsolably while being named as the VP candidate for the simple reason that he would have to leave his party the BJP. Known to be affable and generous to a fault, Naidu does not carry the vituperative manner of his colleagues while addressing the Opposition. No wonder he was chosen by Modi to speak to Sonia Gandhi on the GST recently. His quick wit at coining acronyms including some that praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership; his closeness to the PM and his loyalty to the Party he has served for decades are perhaps the key reasons why he qualified for the job. That Venkaiah Naidu would also be the factor that would cement the South Indian vote bank is perhaps another factor. It would be interesting to watch the developments hereafter.