PM Modi calls Venkaiah Naidu "fitting candidate" for VP post

Naidu is presently the Information and Broadcasting minister of the central government.

Following to the announcement, Modi wrote on Twitter: "I know @MVenkaiahNaidu Garu for years. Have always admired his hardwork & tenacity. A fitting candidate for the office of Vice President."

"A farmer’s son, @MVenkaiahNaidu Garu brings years of experience in public life and is admired across the political spectrum," he tweeted.

"The years of Parliamentary experience @MVenkaiahNaidu Garu has will help him discharge the important role of Rajya Sabha Chairperson," Modi added.

While announcing the name of the BJP's vice-presidential candidate, Shah said: "Venkaiah ji (Venkaiah Naidu) is one of the oldest leader of the country. He was also the minister of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government earlier. He has been unanimously selected by the parliamentary board."

He served several portfolios of the government earlier and is also a senior member of the BJP.

Naidu will contest the VP poll against Opposition's candidate Gopal Krishna Gandhi.

While interacting with the media, Shah denied any possibility of achieving a consensus between the ruling party and the Opposition over the VP poll. "They have already announced their candidate. If they had waited, there could have been a possibility of achieving a consensus," he stated.

The 18 opposition parties together named former West Bengal governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi as their candidate.