V-P polls: An emotional Naidu says it is painful to leave BJP

New Delhi, July 18
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Venkiah Naidu on Tuesday filed his nomination for vice-presidential election on Tuesday.
Naidu, the BJP’s pick for vice-president, was accompanied by party veterans Murli Manohar Joshi and LK Advani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. Allies such as Shiromani Alkali Dal, Shiv Sena and the LJP were also present, as was an All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham leader.
The AIADMK’s factio lead by former chief minister Panneerselvam has already announced its support to Naidu.
“I have treated my party as a mother, it is very painful to leave the party and I am emotional . I do not belong to the BJP now, I will be continuing as MP because of voting. I have resigned from all party posts and will meet my party members outside the party office, ” Naidu said in what is perhaps his last meeting with media as BJP leader.
“From being constantly among people, I will be moving to different responsibilities as Vice-President,” he said, thanking Prime Minister Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and other members of the party and alliance. “It will be my endeavour to follow and strengthen the Constitutional practices and Parliamentary democratic system. I will uphold the dignity of the Parliamentary system, he said, adding there is no question of electioneering for the post.”
Tuesday was the last day for nominations.
Naidu meets Advani, Joshi before filing nomination
NDA’s vice-presidential nominee M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday met veteran BJP leaders L.K. Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi at their residences here before filing his nomination.
Naidu was announced BJP’s choice of candidate for vice-president on Monday, hours after presidential election, in a move seen as an attempt at wooing the south.