'Whoever is best suited should win': Naqvi on Vice-Presidential election

New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): After Mahatma Gandhi grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi's name was proposed by the Opposition parties for the vice-presidential election, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday asserted that whoever is best suited for the post should win. Speaking to ANI, Naqvi said, "This is a democratic country and the nomination of a presidential or vice-presidential candidate from the Opposition is not a new thing. The only thing concerned is whoever is best suited for the post should take the position. Both the parties are doing their calculation to bring out the best they have. I would not like to comment much on it." Yesterday, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O'Brien said, "The issue of the vice-president's name didn't take us more than 15 minutes. It was only one name proposed. The TMC was first to asked to speak. Only one name was proposed and endorsed." Meanwhile, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Even the independent people are supporting him (Gopal Gandhi). It is a good thing." Earlier, the Opposition parties met to decide on their strategy to put up a joint vice-presidential candidate for the August 5 election. The ruling BJP is expected to finalise its nominee by July 13. A total of 18 Opposition parties met at a meeting hosted by Congress president Sonia Gandhi at Parliament library at 11 a.m. The elections for the next vice-president will be held on August 5. Outgoing vice-president Hamid Ansari completes his term on August 10. MPs of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha vote to elect the vice president. (ANI)