Ansari files nomination papers for Vice Presidential poll

UPA's Vice Presidential candidate Hamid Ansari filed his nomination papers here today for the August seven poll in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and leaders of theruling coalition.

75-year-old Ansari, who is set to become the second person to get two consecutive terms as Vice-President, filed his nomination papers before Lok Sabha Secretary General T K Vishwanathan, who is the Returning Officer for the poll.

Sonia Gandhi, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Congress MP Motilal Vora and BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra submitted one set of papers each to Vishwanathan in support of Ansari's candidature. Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and leaders of other ruling coalition were also present.

Soon after filing his nomination papers, Ansari thanked UPA and its partners for supporting his candidature. "I am very grateful to all the leaders who have come here to attend this function, for supporting my nomination and for ponsoring me," he told reporters.

He was greeted by MPs from Congress and UPA partners. No TMC MP was present when Ansari filed his papers.

The Prime Minister said, "We are all very delighted that there is such a massive support for renomination of Hamid Ansari for the august office of Vice President."

Ansari was received by the Prime Minister, the Congress President and other leaders in the lobby of Parliament since he holds the office of Vice President and they accompanied  him to the Lok Sabha Secretary General's office.