Margaret Alva vs Jagdeep Dhankhar: Around 93 per cent of MPs vote in vice presidential ballot; over 50 MPs skip

By PTI

NEW DELHI: Around 93 per cent polling was recorded within the vice presidential election on Saturday, with greater than 50 MPs not exercising their franchise.

Officials stated of the full 780 MPs, as many as 725 MPs voted until 5 pm when the polling concluded.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his predecessor Manmohan Singh solid their ballots early within the day, whereas opposition leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi voted somewhat after midday, the officers stated.

The Trinamool Congress, which has 39 MPs, together with 23 in Lok Sabha, has already introduced its resolution to abstain from the election.

However, two of its MPs — Sisir Kumar Adhikari and Dibyendu Adhikari — broke ranks and solid their ballots.

Polling to elect the following Vice President of India started at 10 am, with Modi being among the many first ones to vote.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in a wheelchair and wanted assist to face up and vote.

CPM MP John Brittas was amongst those that helped the veteran chief in exercising his franchise.

The two-term former prime minister greeted these current with folded fingers.

Margaret Alva on the Vice Presidential election venue. (Photo | EPS)

Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president J P Nadda, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Commerce Minister and Leader of House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal have been among the many leaders who turned up early on the Parliament House.

Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi, who has contracted COVID-19, voted sporting a PPE package.

“Satisfied that I could perform my duties as a third term parliamentarian in the #VP elections, even if in extraterrestrial attire!” he tweeted.

While two BJP MPs — Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dhotre — didn’t vote, among the many distinguished opposition MPs who have been absent throughout voting included Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shafiqur Rahman Barq (each Samajwadi Party).

The counting of votes will start at 6 pm.

With the ruling BJP having an absolute majority within the Lok Sabha and 91 members within the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar has a transparent edge over his rival.

He is prone to succeed incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu, whose tenure ends on August 10.

All MPs of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, together with nominated members, are entitled to vote within the vice presidential election.

The two Houses of Parliament collectively have a sanctioned power of 788 MPs, of which there are eight vacancies within the Upper House.

NEW DELHI: Around 93 per cent polling was recorded within the vice presidential election on Saturday, with greater than 50 MPs not exercising their franchise.

Officials stated of the full 780 MPs, as many as 725 MPs voted until 5 pm when the polling concluded.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his predecessor Manmohan Singh solid their ballots early within the day, whereas opposition leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi voted somewhat after midday, the officers stated.

The Trinamool Congress, which has 39 MPs, together with 23 in Lok Sabha, has already introduced its resolution to abstain from the election.

However, two of its MPs — Sisir Kumar Adhikari and Dibyendu Adhikari — broke ranks and solid their ballots.

Polling to elect the following Vice President of India started at 10 am, with Modi being among the many first ones to vote.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in a wheelchair and wanted assist to face up and vote.

CPM MP John Brittas was amongst those that helped the veteran chief in exercising his franchise.

The two-term former prime minister greeted these current with folded fingers.

Margaret Alva on the Vice Presidential election venue. (Photo | EPS)

Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president J P Nadda, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Commerce Minister and Leader of House in Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal have been among the many leaders who turned up early on the Parliament House.

Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi, who has contracted COVID-19, voted sporting a PPE package.

“Satisfied that I could perform my duties as a third term parliamentarian in the #VP elections, even if in extraterrestrial attire!” he tweeted.

While two BJP MPs — Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dhotre — didn’t vote, among the many distinguished opposition MPs who have been absent throughout voting included Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shafiqur Rahman Barq (each Samajwadi Party).

The counting of votes will start at 6 pm.

With the ruling BJP having an absolute majority within the Lok Sabha and 91 members within the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar has a transparent edge over his rival.

He is prone to succeed incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu, whose tenure ends on August 10.

All MPs of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, together with nominated members, are entitled to vote within the vice presidential election.

The two Houses of Parliament collectively have a sanctioned power of 788 MPs, of which there are eight vacancies within the Upper House.