| NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar was elected as the 14th Vice-President of India on Saturday as he defeated Opposition candidate Margaret Alva.
Mr. Dhankhar, a former Governor of West Bengal, secured 528 votes while 80-year-old Alva got 182. The numbers were stacked in favour of Mr. Dhankhar as the ruling BJP enjoys an absolute majority in Lok Sabha and has 91 members in Rajya Sabha. The BJP heads the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Even before the results were announced, celebrations had started outside the residence of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi where Mr. Dhankhar was present. Joyous scenes were also reported from Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu, the hometown of Dhankhar. Soon after the announcement of the result, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Mr. Dhankhar and congratulated him.
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