Vice-President-elect M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said he was elated over his elevation to the constitutional post.
A son of a farmer from a remote village in Andhra Pradesh with a humble background getting elevated to the coveted post was no ordinary task. Terming it as the beauty and strength of democracy, he said it couldn’t have happened but for the love and affection of the people of the country.
Pouring his heart out, Mr. Naidu said he felt a little disturbed when his name was announced for the post as he always liked to be among the people.
“I have been in the thick and thin of politics right from my student days and never lost affinity with the people. Talking and moving with the people is the oxygen of my political life. It is for this reason that I was initially worried to relinquish the public life. Even in my new role which is totally apolitical, I cannot keep myself cut off from the public and will try to reach them to the extent possible as per the protocol besides maintaining the dignity and decorum of the post,” said Mr. Naidu.
Mr. Naidu declined to comment on political developments. “I am no longer a BJP man. I do not belong to any political party. I have resigned from the Ministry and the party and shortly will also resign as MP.” Striking a nostalgic note, he said he had been coming to the hill temple since his school days and that he had prayed the presiding deity for a corrupt-free and prosperous nation.
Mr. Naidu offered prayers at the hill temple of Lord Venkateswara along with his family members.