Venkaiah Naidu rubbishes rumours surrounding his VP candidate nomination

Amaravati: NDA's vice presidential candidate Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday rubbished rumours that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah named him for the top post as they feared that he would be a contender for the PM's post in 2019.

Dubbing these claims as mere 'trash', Naidu heaped praise on Modi, saying he was 'God's boon to the country' and that decisions were always taken collectively.

'This is trash. Modi, Shah and we all take decisions collectively. In fact they both used to consult me on all important matters,' Naidu said



at a 'meet-and-greet' programme here today.

'Since the President of India is from the north, prime minister from the west, Lok Sabha speaker from central India, Modi wanted the vice president from the south,' he said.

'He also wanted one from an agricultural family for the vice president's post. And, one who could run the Rajya Sabha effectively. Modi's thinking was rational,' Naidu said.

The prime minister had clearly said there was no alternative (for the vice president's post) and so he was chosen, the former Union minister said.