UPA’s Vice-Presidential candidate Mr Hamid Ansari filed his nomination papers here today for the August 7 poll in the presence of the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Congress President Ms Sonia Gandhi, and leaders of the ruling 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 the Lok Sabha Secretary General, Mr T.K. Vishwanathan, who is the Returning Officer for the poll.

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

Soon after filing his nomination papers, Mr Ansari thanked the 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 sponsoring me,” he told reporters.

He was greeted by MPs from Congress and UPA partners. No TMC MP was present when Mr 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.”

Mr Ansari was received by the Prime Minister, 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.

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