Naidu will add vigour to vice president’s job.
Initially, Venkaiah Naidu was not keen on holding higher offices. “I neither want to become rashtrapati, nor do I want to become uprashtrapati. I am happy being Usha’s (his wife) pati,” he had quipped. Then, a few days ago, BJP president Amit Shah approached him with the proposal for vice presidency.
There was only one little problem. Naidu was happy with his existing job, handling two big ministries and being in the thick of party decisions. For a man who doesn’t like one idle moment in his day, the thought of a relaxed appointment was unappealing.
He had a huddle with his closest aides. “We realised that for the next few months, he would be busy with the Rajya Sabha, where the National Democratic Alliance is still weak in numbers,” said an aide. “He would also have more occasions to indulge in a favourite activity, travel. Also, he could inject new vigour into the post, just as A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had done with the presidency.’’
This story is from the July 30, 2017 edition of THE WEEK.
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This story is from the July 30, 2017 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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