Hamid Ansari sworn-in as India's 13th VP

New Delhi, Aug 11: Former diplomat Hamid Ansari was today sworn-in as the 13th Vice President of the country. The swearing-in-ceremony was held in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Outgoing Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Congress chief and United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, senior Left leaders, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and other political leaders were present at the ceremony.

Ansari, who defeated his nearest rival Najma Heptullah of the opposition NDA by 233 votes, will assume charge as Chairman of Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Ansari secured 455 votes, thirty more than expected, from the members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha that form the Electoral College of 788. The effective strength of the two Houses is 783.

Heptullah, who was closely associated with the Congress party for over three decades, before joining the BJP ahead of the 2004 General Elections managed to secure 222 votes.

United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) or the Third Front candidate, Rashid Masood secured 75 votes in the triangular contest.

A total of ten votes were declared invalid in Friday's polling with 21 members abstaining from the polls.

Ansari, who will succeed Bhairon Singh Shekawat, on Friday said that he is aware of the responsibilities entrusted with the post and would try to fulfil them to the best of his ability.

Ansari, a former diplomat and chairman of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), is known for his role in ensuring compensation to victims of the Gujarat riots and pushing for a complete re-look into the relief and rehabilitation for riot victims since 1984.

ANI
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