Former Union Minister and veteran BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu today took oath as the 13th Vice President of India. Naidu won the vice presidential election last week after defeating Gopalkrishna Gandhi who was fielded by the Opposition.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan. Naidu paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat. He later honoured Jan Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyaya, Dr BR Ambedkar and Sardar Vallabhai.

On Thursday, Naidu said that Indian ethos is of mutual respect for each other. He added that people tried to use minority issues for political purposes. Naidu's statements were in wake of outgoing Vice President Hamid Ansari's statement over unease among Muslims in the country.

The oath of office was administered to Naidu by President Ram Nath Kovind. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MPs from all political parties, former president Pranab Mukherjee and former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

Naidu is holding the second highest constitutional post in the country. He will also preside over as the chairman of Rajya Sabha.

Naidu who was the minister of information and broadcasting was initially reluctant to be NDA's presidential nominee. However, he later agreed after being persuaded by the party. He is the second BJP leader to assume the post of Vice President after Bhairon Shekhawat (2002-2007).

VENKAIAH'S JOURNEY

Famous for his rhymes and one-liners, Venkaiah Naidu was born on July 1, 1949 in Chavatapalem under Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. He got married to M Usha on April 14, 1970. He has a son and a daughter.

Venkaiah Naidu has done BA, BL and was educated at VR High School, Nellore; VR College, Nellore; and Law College, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.Venkaiah Naidu was imprisoned under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency between 1975 and 1977. He was the Janata Party Youth Wing president of Andhra Pradesh between 1977 and 1980. He was first elected as MLA in Andhra Pradesh Assembly in 1978.

Venkaiah Naidu was the national vice president of BJP's youth wing from 1980 to 1983. He was the leader of BJP's legislature party in Andhra Pradesh Assembly from 1980 to 1985. He held the post of the state president of BJP's Andhra Pradesh unit from 1988 to 1993.

Between 1993 and 2000, Venkaiah Naidu was BJP's national general secretary. He rose to become the BJP's president in July 2002. He held the post till December 2002.

Venkaiah Naidu has held the post of BJP's national president on two occasions. The second time it was between January 2004 and October 2004.

Between April 2005 and January 2006, he was BJP's senior vice president.

From January 2006 onwards, he is a member of BJP's Parliamentary Board and Central Election Committee. He was BJP's national spokesperson between 1996 and 2000.

HERE ARE THE LATEST UPDATES:

Veteran BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu takes oath as the 13th Vice President.

President Ram Nath Kovind arrives for oath taking ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Durbar Hall.

Dr.Manmohan Singh arrives for oath ceremony of M Venkaiah Naidu #VicePresident pic.twitter.com/gPWdEjwDlQ- ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2017 Oath taking ceremony to begin shortly.

Delhi: #VicePresident designate M Venkaiah Naidu pays tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Patel Chowk pic.twitter.com/iOMdq50glh - ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2017 Vice President designate M Venkaiah Naidu pays tribute to Deen Dayal Upadhaya at DDU Park

Delhi: #VicePresident designate M Venkaiah Naidu visits Raj Ghat pic.twitter.com/LC5Lu25NZb - ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2017 Naidu Met Pranab Mukherjee at his residence today. "I Thank him for his warm best wishes for the future," he said.

Venkaiah Naidu with Pranab Mukherjee. Venkaiah Naidu with Pranab Mukherjee.

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