Modi praises NDA’s Vice President candidate Naidu

New Delhi, July 18 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the NDA Vice President candidate M. Venkaiah Naidu and said it will be for the first time that a person with a long experience of the Rajya Sabha would occupy that post.

"It is not an analysis but my estimate that it is for the first time, someone with such a long experience of Rajya Sabha will be holding the post of Vice President," Modi said in his remarks at the BJP Parliamentary Board which chose Naidu as the candidate at its meeting on Monday. Modi's speech was released to the media on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister said Naidu would be the first person who has worked in a number of districts in the country.

"He is also the first candidate who has extensive knowledge of different areas of the country, their strength, their problems which is an added advantage as it helps to administer and find solutions easily." Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that the people in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who have worked with him know well how he takes work from people.

"I have seen that despite not having the charge of the agriculture department, he actively took part in the agriculture decisions. There was a touch of Naidu in every agricultural decisions of his government. He used to involve himself in agriculture issues and observe things," Modi said.

Modi added that Naidu has led a very simple life dedicated to farmers. "I feel that due to all these qualities we would gain from his experience," Modi said.

Meanwhile, BJP President Amit Shah said "Naidu becoming the Vice President is an irreparable loss for the BJP".

"But it also good that such a respected and qualified person is going to occupy that post," Shah said.