Jayalalithaa extends support to Jaswant Singh for Tuesday's VP election(Update)

Chennai, Aug 6 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and All Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief J. Jayalalithaa on Monday extended her support to NDA nominee Jaswant Singh's candidature for Tuesday's vice presidential election.

Jayalalithaa said there should always be an opposition in a democracy.

"AIADMK to back Jaswant Singh for vice presidential election. In a democracy, there should always be an opposition," she said.

Jaswant Singh on his part thanked Jayalalithaa for her support to him.

"I am glad that Jayalalithaaji has extended her support to my candidature," he said.

Jaswant Singh earlier expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious in the election.

"I am hopeful, that's why I am here," he told mediapersons at the Chennai Airport here priot his meeting with the AIADMK chief.

The support of the AIADMK has now instilled more confidence in Jaswant Singh, who has the committed support of the BJP, the Janata Dal-United, the Shiv Sena, the Akali Dal and several other smaller parties.

The AIADMK has nine members in the Lok Sabha and in the Rajya Sabha.

UPA's vice presidential candidate Hamid Ansari has a definite edge in the vice presidential election, as he has the support of the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahuja Samaj Party (BSP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), CPM, National Conference and several others.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) is also expected to vote for Hamid Ansari. Moreover, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha has announced that it would abstain from voting in the vice-presidential election.

The Vice President is elected through a direct ballot with Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members (including nominated) comprising the electoral college.

A total of 790 MPs are eligible to cast their vote on August 7 to elect India's 14th Vice President.(ANI)