New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Saturday announced Jagdeep Dhankhar — the current governor of West Bengal — as its vice-presidential nominee.
The decision was taken at the BJP’s parliamentary board meeting attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party president J.P. Nadda and other senior party leaders.
Making the announcement Saturday evening, Nadda called Dhankhar “kisan putra” (son of a farmer) who comes from a humble agrarian family.
Nadda said Dhankhar was a “people’s governor” with a lot of administrative experience.
“After a detailed discussion and considering all the names, the BJP Parliamentary Board has decided to announce the name of kisan putra and West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar as BJP’s and NDA’s vice-presidential candidate,” Nadda said.
He was appointed as the governor of West Bengal in July 2019 and since then, has had an acrimonious relationship with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government in the state. Dhankhar and Banerjee have butted heads over many issues, with the West Bengal chief minister even calling him a “corrupt man”.
While Dhankhar has accused Banerjee of not keeping him in the loop over many issues, the West Bengal CM has accused him of indulging in political stunts.
Kisan Putra Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji is known for his humility. He brings with him an illustrious legal, legislative and gubernatorial career. He has always worked for the well-being of farmers, youth, women and the marginalised. Glad that he will be our VP candidate. @jdhankhar1 pic.twitter.com/TJ0d05gAa8
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 16, 2022
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Dhankhar’s political legacy
Dhankhar has worked in public life for three decades, Nadda said, adding that he was a qualified lawyer as well.
“Despite being a first-generation professional, he became one of the leading lawyers in Rajasthan. Jagdeep Dhankhar has practised in both the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court of India,” the BJP said in a statement.
Dhankhar entered public life after getting elected as the Member of Parliament from Jhunjhunu in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections. He also served as a Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in 1990. In 1993, he was elected to the Rajasthan Assembly from the Kishangarh constituency in Ajmer district.
In 2017, the NDA announced then cabinet minister M. Venkaiah Naidu as their vice-presidential candidate.
Naidu’s term ends on 10 August.
The last date for filing nomination papers for the vice-presidential election is 19 July. The election is scheduled for 6 August.
The BJP is on a strong footing to ensure a win for both its presidential (Droupadi Murmu) and vice-presidential candidates.
The electoral college for picking the next vice-president — who is also the Rajya Sabha chairperson — comprises members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
(Edited by Uttara Ramaswamy)
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