New Delhi, Aug 6: National Democratic Alliance candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar was elected as the 14th vice president of India on Saturday as he defeated the Opposition’s candidate Margaret Alva.
Dhankhar, a former governor of West Bengal, secured 528 votes against Alva’s 182. His victory margin was the highest since 1997.
Wishes poured in from various quarters after the election result was announced with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Alva congratulating Dhankhar.
The nation will benefit from Dhankhar’s long and rich experience in public life, the president tweeted.
Dhankhar, 71, will take oath as the vice president on August 11, a day after incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu’s tenure ends.
He will be the second vice president from Rajasthan after Bhairon Singh Shekhawat who held the office between 2002 and 2007.
With Dhankhar’s election, the presiding officers of both Houses of Parliament will be from Rajasthan.
The vice president is the chairperson of Rajya Sabha. Currently, Om Birla who was elected to Lok Sabha from Rajasthan’s Kota is the Lok Sabha speaker.
The numbers were stacked in favour of Dhankhar as the ruling BJP enjoys an absolute majority in Lok Sabha and has 91 members in Rajya Sabha.
The BJP heads the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Even before the results were announced, celebrations had started outside the residence of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi where Dhankhar was present.
Soon after the announcement of the result, PM Modi met Dhankhar and congratulated him.
Joyous scenes were also reported from Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu, the hometown of Dhankhar.
Announcing the poll result, Lok Sabha Secretary-General and Returning Officer Utpal Kumar Singh said 725 MPs cast their ballots and 15 votes were declared invalid.
A candidate required at least 356 votes to win the election.
The voter turnout of 92.94 per cent this time was lower than 98.2 per cent recorded in the 2017 election when Naidu was elected.
Members of Parliament, including nominated ones, are eligible to vote in the vice presidential poll. (PTI)
