In a quieter replay of the presidential election, the UPA-Left on Friday had their candidate Mohammad Hamid Ansari elected as Vice-President through a margin higher than the aggregate vote bank of the ruling combine in the two Houses of Parliament.
The UPA-Left had 441 committed votes but the former diplomat romped home with 455 of the 762 votes polled. BJP-led NDA candidate Najma Heptullah was a distant second with 222, while the Third Front’s Rashid Masood secured only 75 votes. There were 10 invalid votes.
“I am aware of the responsibilities of the post. I will endeavour to fulfil these responsibilities to the satisfaction of all,” Ansari told newspersons on being delivered the notification of his election. Ansari will be administered the oath of office by President Pratibha Patil on Saturday. He will take charge as Rajya Sabha chairman on Monday.-H.T
