Venkaiah Naidu

Last updated

Usha Naidu
​
(m. 1970)​
M. Venkaiah Naidu
Venkaiah Naidu official portrait.jpg
Official portrait, 2017
Vice President of India
In office
11 August 2017 –11 August 2022 [1]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Preceded by Mohammad Hamid Ansari
Succeeded by Jagdeep Dhankhar
Children2
Residences
Alma mater Andhra University (LLB)
Awards Padma Vibhushan (2024)
Signature Signature of Venkaiah Naidu.svg

Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu (born 1 July 1949) is an Indian politician who served as the vice president of India from 2017 to 2022. [4] [5] He has also served as the minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Urban Development and Information and Broadcasting in the Modi Cabinet. [6]

Contents

Naidu has also served as the national president of Bharatiya Janata Party from 2002 to 2004. [7] Earlier, he was the Union Cabinet Minister for Rural Development in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. [8] [9] He took the oath as the vice president of India and the chairman of the Rajya Sabha (ex-officio as the Vice President) on 11 August 2017. [10] In 2024, The Government of India honoured him with Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award. [11] [12]

Early life

Venkaiah Naidu was born on 1 July 1949 at Chavatapalem village (near Venkatachalam) in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, to Rangaiah Naidu and Ramanamma. [13] [14] He completed his schooling from Zilla Parshad High School, Bucchireddy Palem (Nellore), and pursued his bachelor's degree in politics and diplomatic studies at V. R. College, Nellore. Later, he acquired a bachelor's degree in law with specialisation in international law from Andhra University College of Law, Visakhapatnam. [15] [16] He was a swayamsevak in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and joined ABVP during his college days. He was elected as the president of the students' union of colleges affiliated with the Andhra University. He came into the spotlight for his prominent role in the Jai Andhra Movement of 1972. While Kakani Venkata Ratnam led the movement from Vijayawada, Naidu took active part in the agitation in Nellore, until it was called off a year later.

In 1974, he became the convener of Jayaprakash Narayan Chhatra Sangharsh Samiti of Andhra Pradesh. He took to the streets in protest against the Emergency and was imprisoned. From 1977 to 1980, he was president of its youth wing.

Political career

Venkaiah Naidu taking charge as the Union Minister for Urban Development in New Delhi on 28 May 2014 Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu taking charge as the Union Minister for Urban Development, in New Delhi on May 28, 2014.jpg
Venkaiah Naidu taking charge as the Union Minister for Urban Development in New Delhi on 28 May 2014

Both as a student leader and political figure, Naidu gained prominence as an orator who championed the cause of the farmers and the development of backward areas. His oratory skills and political activism propelled his political career, and he was elected as an MLA to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly twice from Udaygiri constituency in Nellore district in 1978 and 1983. He rose to become one of the most popular leaders of the BJP in Andhra Pradesh. [17]

After serving in various organisational posts of the BJP at the state and national level, he was elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka in 1998. [18] He was re-elected twice, in 2004 and 2010, from Karnataka. [19] [20] He served as the party spokesperson from 1996 to 2000, bringing to the job his panache for quirky alliterations and similes. Unlike most politicians from southern India, Naidu made an effort to master Hindi, going on to address public rallies in northern India. [21]

After the NDA victory in the 1999 general elections, he became the Union Cabinet Minister for Rural Development in the government headed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. [22] He was known for aggressively pushing for reforms in rural development and for the many schemes introduced during this period such as the 'Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana'. [23] [24] [25]

National President of the BJP (2002–2004)

Naidu succeeded Jana Krishnamurthi as the National President of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2003. [26] On 28 January 2004, he was elected unopposed for a full three-year term. [27] After the defeat of the BJP-led NDA in the 2004 general elections, he resigned from his post on 18 October 2004 and was succeeded by L. K. Advani. [28] However, he remained at the forefront of the BJP as one of its senior vice-presidents and an important campaigner. Naidu raised the "Special Status to Andhra Pradesh" issue in Rajya Sabha (as opposition member in February 2014) and demanded special category state status to Andhra Pradesh. The Prime Minister agreed to it, though it was not included in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

First Modi ministry (2014–2017)

Venkaiah Naidu taking charge as the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs in New Delhi on 28 May 2014 Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu taking charge as the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, in New Delhi on May 28, 2014.jpg
Venkaiah Naidu taking charge as the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs in New Delhi on 28 May 2014

Following the victory of the BJP in the 2014 general elections, he was sworn in as the Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs on 26 May 2014. [29]

Naidu is also involved with the Swarna Bharat Trust, a social service organisation founded by him in Nellore. [30] The trust runs a school for poor, orphaned and special-needs children and imparts self-employment training programsme, especially for women and youth.

He was nominated by the BJP on 29 May 2016 for the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan and was elected.

Vice President of India (2017–2022)

Swearing of Vice President-elect Venkaiah Naidu at Rashtrapati Bhavan Durbar Hall, 11 August 2017 The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind administering the oath of office of the Vice President to Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, at a Swearing-in-Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on August 11, 2017.jpg
Swearing of Vice President-elect Venkaiah Naidu at Rashtrapati Bhavan Durbar Hall, 11 August 2017
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu assuming office at the Vice President Secretariat, in New Delhi on 11 August 2017 The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu assuming office at the Vice President Secretariat, in New Delhi on August 11, 2017.jpg
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu assuming office at the Vice President Secretariat, in New Delhi on 11 August 2017

On 5 July 2016, he concurrently served as Minister of Information and Broadcasting. A year later, he resigned from both offices to contest the 2017 vice presidential election. He won the election to become India's 13th Vice President. [31] He obtained 516 votes against UPA candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi, who received 244 votes. As his tenure ended, Naidu decided to move back to Hyderabad with his family and declared that he will resume his career in the service of the nation. [32] He was succeeded by Jagdeep Dhankhar on 11 August 2022.

2017 vice-presidential election

On 5 July 2017, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance nominated M. Venkaiah Naidu as its candidate for the post of Vice President of India in the 2017 Indian vice-presidential election. Naidu, a senior BJP leader and former Union Minister, contested against the opposition candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi, a former diplomat and Governor of West Bengal. [33]

The election was held on 5 August 2017, and Naidu won with 516 votes out of 771 valid votes, defeating Gandhi by a margin of 272 votes. He secured support across party lines, including from some non-NDA parties. [34]

Tenure

Venkaiah Naidu assumed office as the 13th Vice President of India on 11 August 2017, succeeding Mohammad Hamid Ansari. The oath of office was administered by President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan. [35]

During his tenure, Naidu served as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha , presiding over proceedings of the Upper House during a period marked by frequent disruptions. He repeatedly appealed to members to maintain decorum and emphasised the constitutional role of Parliament in a democratic system. [36]

Naidu introduced several procedural reforms aimed at improving the functioning of the Rajya Sabha, including stricter enforcement of rules against disorderly conduct and encouragement of longer, issue-based debates. He also emphasised the strengthening of parliamentary committees for detailed legislative scrutiny. [37]

Institutional initiatives and public engagement

As Vice President, Naidu undertook extensive domestic tours and engaged with educational institutions, universities, and civil society organisations. He frequently addressed students and administrators on issues such as constitutional values, governance, and the role of youth in nation-building. [38]

Naidu was a strong advocate for Indian languages and cultural heritage. He repeatedly called for greater use of regional languages in governance and education, while also promoting Indian traditions, yoga, and cultural diversity at national forums. [39]

Foreign visits

During his tenure as Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu undertook several official foreign visits to strengthen bilateral relations, promote cultural and economic cooperation, and represent India at international forums.

In May–June 2022, Naidu embarked on a three-nation tour of Gabon, Senegal and Qatar, marking the first visit by an Indian Vice President to Gabon and Senegal. During the visit, he held delegation-level talks with senior leaders, interacted with members of the Indian diaspora, and engaged with business communities to enhance cooperation in trade, education and people-to-people exchanges. In Qatar, the visit coincided with the celebrations marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Qatar. The tour was viewed as a significant step in strengthening India’s engagement with Africa and the Middle East. [40]

Earlier, in May 2018, Naidu paid an official visit to Central America, covering Guatemala, Panama and Peru. The visit focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, agriculture, information technology and cultural exchange. During the tour, he met with Presidents, Vice Presidents and parliamentary leaders, and also addressed gatherings of the Indian community abroad. This visit was among the highest-level engagements from India to the region at the time. [41]

In October 2019, Naidu undertook an official visit to Comoros and Sierra Leone as part of India’s outreach to African nations. He was accorded ceremonial receptions and held talks with the leadership of both countries. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to enhance cooperation in economic, technical and capacity-building sectors. The visit highlighted India’s commitment to strengthening ties with smaller African states through development partnership and parliamentary diplomacy. [42]

Through these visits, Naidu reinforced the diplomatic and ceremonial role of the Vice President while contributing to India’s broader foreign policy objectives, particularly in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

Completion of term

Venkaiah Naidu completed his five-year term on 10 August 2022 and was succeeded by Jagdeep Dhankhar. Following the completion of his tenure, leaders across the political spectrum acknowledged his role in upholding parliamentary traditions and constitutional propriety during a politically polarised period. [43]

Personal life

Naidu married Usha on 14 April 1972, [44] with whom he has a son and a daughter. [45] [46] Usha served as the 13th Second lady of India. [47] [48]

Positions held

Awards and honours

Naidu being felicitated with Padma Vibhushan by President Murmu Padma Vibhushan Shri M Venkaiah Naidu.jpg
Naidu being felicitated with Padma Vibhushan by President Murmu
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu being conferred 'the order of the Green Crescent' by the President of the Union of Comoros, Mr. Azali Assoumani, in Moroni, Comoros on October 11, 2019. The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu being conferred 'the order of the Green Crescent' by the President of the Union of Comoros, Mr. Azali Assoumani, at the Presidential Palace, in Moroni, Comoros on October 11, 2019.jpg
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu being conferred ‘the order of the Green Crescent’ by the President of the Union of Comoros, Mr. Azali Assoumani, in Moroni, Comoros on October 11, 2019.

National honours

Foreign honours

Honorary degrees

References

  1. ↑ "People will keep calling Venkaiah Naidu for something or other, says PM Modi". The Hindu. 8 August 2022. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "'It is Tyagaraja Marg, not Tyag Raj Marg': Naidu to mend new home address". Tribune. 9 August 2022. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  3. ↑ "Traffic curbs: Venkaiah Naidu's visit". The Hindu. 29 July 2022. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  4. ↑ Naidu, M Venkaiah (11 August 2020). "An emotionally integrated India offers the best defence against both internal and external threats and challenges". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  5. ↑ "Venkaiah Naidu Vice President". Patrika .[ dead link ]
  6. ↑ PTI (25 June 2014). "Venkaiah Naidu, BJP's south Indian face gets second stint in government". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  7. ↑ "Naidu's journey from pasting party posters to being Vice President". Rediff. PTI. 5 August 2017. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "BJP wins all seats from Rajasthan - the Hindu". The Hindu . 11 June 2016. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  9. ↑ "Cabinet reshuffle: Portfolios of Modi's ministers". 5 July 2016. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  10. ↑ PTI (11 August 2017). "Venkaiah Naidu as vice president, Rajya Sabha chairman a tribute to democracy: Modi". Livemint. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  11. ↑ "Padma Awards 2024: Former VP Venkaiah Naidu, actor Chiranjeevi, dancer Vyjayanthimala honoured with Padma Vibhushan". The Times of India. 25 January 2024. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  12. ↑ "Padma Awardees List 2024" (PDF). Padma Awards. 25 January 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  13. ↑ "Profile - Venkaiah Naidu". vicepresidentofindia.nic.in. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2024. Date of Birth|1 July 1949
  14. ↑ "Elections in India". Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  15. ↑ "Biography". M.Venkaiah Naidu Personal website.[ permanent dead link ]
  16. ↑ Layak, Suman (10 July 2016), "Cabinet reshuffle: Modi government's got talent but is it being fully utilised?", The Economic Times , archived from the original on 13 July 2016, retrieved 13 July 2016
  17. ↑ Krishna Rao, V M (18 July 2017). "Venkaiah Naidu: A true friend of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh". Deccan Chronicle . Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  18. ↑ "Venkaiah Naidu files papers for Rajya Sabha". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  19. ↑ "Venkaiah Naidu among 10 elected to Rajya Sabha". The Hindu . 29 June 2004. Archived from the original on 4 March 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  20. ↑ "Rajya Sabha elections: Mallya, Venkaiah, Paswan, Rudy win". NDTV. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  21. ↑ "Apart from mother tongue, it is essential to learn Hindi: Venkaiah". The Hindu . 9 September 2021. Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  22. ↑ "Party man Venkaiah Naidu makes debut in government". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  23. ↑ "Dreams of a novice". India Today. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  24. ↑ "PRADHAN MANTRI GRAM SADAK YOJANA : A BOON FOR RURAL INDIA". PIB news. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  25. ↑ "Milking Naidu style". India Today. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  26. ↑ "Venkaiah Naidu takes over as new BJP chief". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  27. ↑ "Venkaiah Naidu elected BJP chief again". The Hindu . 29 January 2004. Archived from the original on 15 April 2005. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  28. ↑ "Venkaiah Naidu quits; Advani is BJP chief". The Hindu . 19 October 2004. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  29. ↑ "Venkaiah Naidu takes charge as Urban Development minister". The Hans India. 28 May 2014. Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  30. ↑ "Swarna Bharat Trust to Strive for Progress of Women, Rural Folk". The New Indian Express. 11 January 2016. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  31. ↑ "M Venkaiah Naidu Is India's Next Vice President". 5 August 2017. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
  32. ↑ "Will Be "On The Move": Venkaiah Naidu As Vice-President Tenure Ends". NDTV. PTI. 10 August 2022. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  33. ↑ "NDA picks Venkaiah Naidu as vice-presidential candidate". The Hindu. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  34. ↑ "Venkaiah Naidu elected Vice President of India". The Indian Express. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  35. ↑ "Former Vice Presidents of India". Vice President of India. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  36. ↑ "Disruptions hurt democracy, says Vice President Naidu". The Hindu. 2 March 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  37. ↑ "Venkaiah Naidu pushes for parliamentary reforms". The Times of India. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  38. ↑ "Vice President's Speeches". Vice President of India. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  39. ↑ "Indian languages key to cultural identity: Naidu". The Hindu. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  40. ↑ "Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu embarks on three-nation tour of Gabon, Senegal and Qatar". NDTV. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  41. ↑ "Venkaiah Naidu to visit Guatemala, Panama, Peru on his first foreign trip". NDTV. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  42. ↑ "Overview of Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu's visit to Comoros and Sierra Leone". AffairsCloud. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  43. ↑ "Leaders bid farewell to Vice President Venkaiah Naidu". The Hindu. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  44. ↑ "Former Chairman Details". Rajya Sabha.
  45. ↑ "Profile of Minister for Urban Development" (PDF). Directorate of Printing, Government of India.
  46. ↑ "Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu". Bharatiya Janta Party.
  47. ↑ "Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu | Vice President of India | Government of India". vicepresidentofindia.nic.in. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  48. ↑ "An Integrated Business City". Sri City (in Japanese). 10 March 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  49. ↑ Samdani, M. N. (27 May 2014). "Venkaiah Naidu: One who kept most leaders happy | Hyderabad News - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  50. ↑ "Padma Awardees List 2024" (PDF). Padma Awards. 25 January 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  51. ↑ "Voici qu'il faut savoir des accords signes entre les Comores et l'Inde". Comoros-Infos. 11 October 2019. Archived from the original on 12 October 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  52. ↑ "VP Venkaiah Naidu becomes first Indian to receive Honorary Doctorate from UN Peace University". India Today. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
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