Amit Shah discusses vice-presidential pick with RSS, to take final call with Narendra Modi

According to BJP sources, Amit Shah is currently meeting RSS' number two and general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi to discuss the bench rules for the party's vice-presidential nominee.

RSS point person for the BJP Krishna Gopal is also present at the meeting, said sources.

A senior RSS functionary said that the Sangh would not like to field a candidate who is not connected to its ideology.

The NDA's strength in the House offers the Sangh the opportunity to back people with RSS ideology for the highest offices in the country, the senior RSS functionary



said.

Caste, gender and region are likely to be on the BJP leadership's mind while zeroing on its candidate for vice-president's post. In case of Ram Nath Kovind, the BJP ticked all the right boxes in its candidate selection.

The BJP may also look for someone with parliamentary experience as the vice-president is the chairman of Rajya Sabha, where the NDA is not in majority. Someone who can share a good rapport with leaders across political parties will be able to run the House smoothly.

Although nearly assured of a win in the vice-presidential election, the BJP is talking to all non-Congress and non-BJP parties to build support and ensure a bigger margin of victory for its candidate.

Following the discussions with the RSS, Amit Shah may finalise the name with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and subsequently present it in front of the BJP parliamentary board.

NAMES DOING THE ROUNDS

The name of Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu has been doing the rounds as a strong contender for the post of the vice-president.

Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah is also believed to have shown interest in her bid to return to Lutyens' Delhi.

The BJP, however, has remained tight-lipped. 'Wait for the announcement' is the stand maintained by all the party leaders.