Venkaiah Naidu became BJP's unanimous candidate for V-P poll: Amit Shah

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

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 also a senior member of the BJP.

Naidu will contest the V-P 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 V-P 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.

The BJP president, however, refused to give any reaction to Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut's comment on Gopal Krishna Gandhi, which came on Sunday. Raut in a tweet explained why Gandhi is unfit to contest the V-P poll.

Attacking Gandhi on Sunday late evening, Raut, said on Twitter: "Do you want Gopalkrishna Gandhi as VP ? who opposed hanging of 93 Mumbai Blast plotter Yakub Memon. "

While asked about Raut's comments, who is a leader of BJP's ally partner Shiv Sena, Shah said: "I do not want to comment on this. All I can say is that Naidu (Venkaiah Naidu) is one of the senior and capable leaders of India to contest the vice presidential election."

Considering Naidu to be the fittest to become V-P, prime minister Narendra Modi tweeted to say: "I know @MVenkaiahNaidu Garu for years. Have always admired his hardwork & tenacity. A fitting candidate for the office of Vice President."

Admiring the background of the present I&B minister, PM on a follow up tweet, said: "A farmer’s son, @MVenkaiahNaidu Garu brings years of experience in public life and is admired across the political spectrum."

Naidu is likely to submit the nomination file for V-P poll on Tuesday at 11 am.

Image of Venkaiah Naidu: Official Twitter handle of Venkaiah Naidu.
Image of Amit Shah: Official Twitter handle of Amit Shah.