Both the nominees have filed their nomination for the post. Naidu has given an account of his years of public life spanning over four decades since college and being twice member of Andhra Pradesh assembly and the four terms he has had in Rajya Sabha since 1998. I am a firm believer in the principle of cooperative federalism.
As regards the members asking why the Parliament House control vested with the Speaker, Kurien said there is no document on the decision taken at any point of time to vest the management of the Parliament House with the Lok Sabha Secretariat and even the Rajya Sabha Secretariat has checked this. Naidu on Wednesday reached out to all members of Parliament across the parties, seeking their support for the August 5 election and said he would uphold ideals of the freedom struggle and principles of the Constitution.
He said it was the government’s responsibility to eradicate poverty, illiteracy, social and gender discrimination, corruption and the debasement of politics. The former union minister assured the MPs that it would be his solemn responsibility to strengthen the hands of President of India and referred to Ramnath Kovind’s assertion on assuming office that “pluralism and unity in diversity are the pillars on which India’s nationhood rests”.
Naidu said that he was “fully conscious” of the role and responsibility of Parliament in furthering the cause of the nation.
“We today face the challenges posed by terrorism, climate change, economic and cultural globalisation and the opportunities and disruptions of technology”, he noted.
“I think the Hon’ble Chairman should have been invited”, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said after Congress, CPI (M) and SP members raised the issue of Ansari and the Rajya Sabha MPs not being invited for the inauguration of the new Parliament House Annex building. I can assure you that I will uphold the dignity of the office and protect our collective constitutional inheritance.