New Delhi [India], September 8 : Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) MP Hanuman Beniwal on Monday expressed his support for opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy in the Vice Presidential Election, citing Reddy's judicial record and the importance of having a capable leader to ensure smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha and represent the concerns of soldiers, farmers, labourers, and the unemployed.
Speaking to ANI, Beniwal said, "B Sudershan Reddy has given many historical judgments and always maintained the respect of the Courts. The current situation in the country has left soldiers, farmers, labourers, and the unemployed feeling cheated. We will vote for him in tomorrow's election... If such a person becomes the Vice President, the Rajya Sabha will run smoothly, and the people of the country will also have the opportunity to hear the views of a good person."
B Sudershan Reddy met RLP MP Hanuman Beniwal, along with Azad Samaj Party President and MP Chandrashekhar Azad, in Delhi ahead of the election.
Commenting on the support, Vice Presidential candidate Reddy said, "I express gratitude to Hanuman Beniwal for supporting me. This is a memorable moment in my life, when one of the tall leaders of our country came to extend his support."
The Vice Presidential election, scheduled for tomorrow, will witness a direct contest between Justice (Retd.) B Sudershan Reddy, backed by the INDIA bloc, and NDA's nominee CP Radhakrishnan.
Earlier today, the INDIA bloc MPs Syed Naseer Hussain, Manickam Tagore, and Shatabdi Roy were appointed as polling agents for Vice Presidential polls candidate B. Sundarshan Reddy.
Meanwhile, Shakti Singh Gohil and Manickam Tagore were announced as the counting agents of B. Sundershan Reddy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first voter to cast his vote in the Vice Presidential Elections on Tuesday. PM Modi will cast his vote along with Punjab and Haryana MPs, sources said on Monday.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Ram Mohan Naidu and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde have been appointed as election agents of the NDA candidate for the Vice Presidential polls.
Earlier on July 21, Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, citing health reasons, leaving the seat of Vice President vacant. Hence, an election was scheduled on September 9 for the post, which will witness a direct contest between Justice (Retd.) B Sudershan Reddy, backed by the INDIA bloc, and the NDA's nominee, CP Radhakrishnan.
The Vice Presidential post fell vacant after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 21, citing health reasons.
The VP is elected by an electoral college, which consists of MPs from both houses of Parliament.