Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 8 : Ahead of the Vice-Presidential elections, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva on Monday said the party will support the candidate who stands to uphold the spirit of the Constitution.
The DMK MP also alleged that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was carrying out activities that undermine secularism, federalism, and the constitutional rights of citizens.
Speaking to reporters, Siva said, "The activities of NDA are against secularism, federalism, and they are infringing upon the rights...So we want to protest against that and we will support the candidate who will stand to uphold the spirit of the constitution..."
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad criticised the INDIA bloc's Vice-Presidential candidate Justice (Retd.) B Sudershan Reddy for meeting RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who has been convicted in the fodder scam. He termed the act "hypocrisy."
Prasad said, "Retired Judge of the Supreme Court Sudershan Reddy is the opposition's candidate for the post of Vice-President...Sudershan Reddy has given a statement that vote for me to save the soul of the nation...He met RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is convicted in the fodder scam...What kind of a Retired Judge of the Supreme Court are you that you are meeting someone who is convicted of a scam?... This is hypocrisy. Please don't talk about the soul of the nation..."
The Vice Presidential election, scheduled for September 9, will witness a direct contest between Justice (Retd.) B Sudershan Reddy, backed by the INDIA bloc, and NDA's nominee CP Radhakrishnan.
The Bharatiya Janata Party organised a 'Sansad Karyalaya' on Sunday, and it will also be held today as a practice session for its MPs on Monday to guide them on the voting process.
Meanwhile, Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, will host a dinner for the INDIA bloc MPs on Monday evening at the Parliament Annexe, a day before the voting for the Vice-Presidential election.
The meeting is to reinforce the opposition's unity and support for their VP candidate, B Sudershan Reddy, who is also supported by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi.
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 election of the Vice President is governed by the provisions under Articles 64 and 68 of the Constitution. The Election Commission notifies the VP polls by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952.
As per Article 66(1) of the Constitution of India, the election of the Vice President shall be held by the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote, and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot.