Of the 736 votes cast, Ansari got 490 votes, 252 more than his opponent Jaswant Singh. Eight votes were declared invalid.
"I declare Hamid Ansari as duly elected to the office of the vice-president of India," the returning officer for the poll told reporters.
Ansari, 75, was supported by lawmakers of the Congress-led coalition. The retired diplomat first became vice-president in 2007.
In July, former finance minister Pranab Mukherjee was elected to the ceremonial post of president last month.
COMMENTS (25)
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@bharat: Your statements are not correct. You can not blame all muslims of India b'coz of few misguided or illiterate people. We Indians should never entertain such thoughts in our mind for our fellow countrymen. Otherwise what is difference between us Indians and Pakistanis.
@bharat : Me too strongly disagree to ur comments. There are many patriotic Muslims in India before independence and after too. We respect them.
@bharat: I am an Indian and I disagree. Indian Muslims are also patriotic Indians and they have contributed to India in a wide range of fields from classical music, movies, cricket and ofcourse business. Azim Premji of Wipro is someone that whole India can take pride in. Apart from the thousands of jobs that Wipro creates, he has also donated $2 billion to improve India's government education sector.
There are some extreme outfits like Simi influenced by terror gans across the border. These are an exception and their number is shrinking. You maybe aware that Mumbai Muslims were unwilling to even provide burial ground to the Pakistani terrorists who created mayhem on 26/11.
@kaalchakra:
Most Indians will be very happy if the Indian Muslims leave India and move to Pakistan.
We are also very happy that the partition happened.
Muslims in India have contributed nothing to our country but only indulge in Anti India activities.
Even today, most Indian muslims should just move to Pakistan.
I honestly feel Pakistan will be a far better place for Indian Muslims. Most Indians share my sentiment and also feel the same.
We would be very happy with a Hindu India
@kaalchakra: "What a terrible, sad state of affairs. For all his qualifications and sucking upto the majority, Hindus denied him the position of the President. If such a man cannot be given basic justice"
You are implying that he was not made the President because he is Muslim. This hypthesis does not stand the test of data. Out of 13 PResident, 3 have been Muslim (this is higher than proportion of Muslims in the country).
Also as nice as Ansari maybe, there is no comparison to Pranab Mukherjee who has been part of India parliament for over 43 years and served in all key cabinet positions e.g. Finance Minister, Defence minister, Foreign Minister.
And since by your logic Pakistan has never had a non-Muslim President/Prime Minister or CJ then you would agree that the plight of non-Muslims in Pakistan is terrible?
@sam: Law does not provides any concessions or discounts to Hindu's. In India the law is same for all.
@JM: If muslims in India were leading a isreble life they all would have relocated to Pakistan and no body would have stopped them....But you are wrong....they are happy in India and know whch part os South Asia does the muslims live miserably!
@gp65: Wow.. great country. Respect =)
What a terrible, sad state of affairs. For all his qualifications and sucking upto the majority, Hindus denied him the position of the President. If such a man cannot be given basic justice, imagine what terrible lives ordinary Muslims must have to endure everyday. Thank you, dear Great Quaid for foresight and courage and determination to save us all.
puppits. real power controlled by majority hindu rule while just giving one person a seat does not change everything. law is made by hindu wishes.which is majority in indian parliament.
@JM: Muslims are allowed to grow in film industry,cricket.financial sector,politics...if they want to, in India!!Muslims are crushed only when they take the path of their counterparts in pak!!It is also the same for Hindu community also,as Indian state never encourages extremism as a policy,be it Muslim,Christian,Sikh or Hindu!!
@Pakistani Hindu, this is just show-off. Ask the muslims living in india on how miserable their life is.
@Mirza: Just fyi - in addition to our VP, our current PM (Sikh), CEC (Muslim), CJ (Parsi), Defence minister (Christian). Finance Minister (atheist), COAS (Sikh) are all non-Hindu
Arsalan : Nothing shows the failure of Indian democracy because it is not failing. Listen to the interview by Jaswant Singh. You can learn ABC of democracy. Sachar committee report has been looked into and it is the mullahs turn to fix the problems of the muslims. Fatwas, Muslim Personal law board, Waqf board, unwillingness to follow the Uniform Civil code etc are the main problems. Not the democracy.
State is like a father who does not distinguish among its offsprings, alas thats not the case in Pak as minorities are not even eligible to contest for PM and President ,Though its highly unlikely considering the ground realities that they will ever be elected as Premier or President but at least constitution should guarantee their participation to allay concerns of minorties.
@Arsalan, Your deep concerns are noted by VP. He will surely act now once Pakistan put an official request.
Jaswant Singh would have been better, considering his past excellent records as a statesman.
@Arsalan: infact u have not even a commitee to investigate...........if u read in madrasas no MNC will hire u simple...........religion and economic education cannot go hand in hand........especially in a country like India which has no oil
He is a nice vice president. I am happy
What does Mr. Vice Ansari will do to implement recommendations of Sachar Report ?
That is his litmus test.
However, He could do nothing before and he will do nothing for that.
That shows fallacy of Indian Democracy.
Congrats !!!
Hamid Ansari.. an-other Muslim becomes the vice-president of India. This is a slap on the face of those who advocate two-nation theory.!!