Vice-Presidential poll slated for Aug 2

New Delhi, Jun 28: Even as the noise regarding the Presidential poll is at its crescendo, talks have already started doing the rounds on the Vice-Presidential poll. The

has tentatively suggested that the polls might be held on Aug 2. The current Vice-president

's term ends on Aug 10. With the poll fever at its heights, the government is likely to convene the monsoon session of the Parliament on Jul 30.

The Election Commission will decide on the same after the Commissioner HS Brahma returns from his foreign trip. Sources within the Parliament Affairs ministry have conveyed that the dates for the monsoon session has been confirmed based on the availability of MP's for the Vice-Presidential poll. The electoral college for the VP poll consists of MP's from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Lok Sabha Secretary-General TK Viswanathan has already been appointed as the returning officer for the 14th Vice-Presidential election.

The monsoon session this time around will be of shorter duration of just 18 sessions and will end on Aug 24. The request to convene the same will be sent to President Pratibha Patil following a cabinet decision.

The Vice President is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and hold a prime position in affairs of the Parliament and his selection needs to be done on a priority basis. The fact that there is no deputy Chairman since K Rahman Khan retired recently has added to the urgency. The government has not appointed a successor for Rehman Khan.

OneIndia News