I accept re-nomination with all humility, says Ansari

New Delhi, July 14 (IANS) Vice President Hamid Ansari, who has been again chosen as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate for the post, said Saturday that he accepted his renomination with humility and thanked parties supporting him.

Talking to mediapersons here along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, Ansari thanked UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the parties for reposing faith in him.

"So rare an honour can only be accepted in all humility. I thank the honourable prime minister, honourable chairperson of UPA, other ingredient members of UPA and other parties who have supported my candidature for the confidence reposed in me for shouldering once again the responsibility of this high office," Ansari said.

Bansal lauded Ansari's contribution as the Rajya Sabha chairman and insisted decision to renominate him at the UPA meeting was "unanimous".

Asked about the Trinamool Congress stance, which has not concurred with the decision to renominate Ansari, Bansal reiterated that the decision was unanimous.

Ansari was elected vice president in 2007 and his term will come to an end Aug 10.

Election for the vice president's post is scheduled Aug 7. Last date for filing nominations is July 20.