Jagdeep Dhankhar was elected as the new vice president by defeating Margaret Alva

NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar was elected as the Vice President of India on Saturday after he bagged 528 votes against his rival candidate Margaret Alva’s 182. Dhankhar, 71, will succeed M Venkaiah Naidu who demits office on August 10. Dhankhar secured 74.36 per cent votes.

He has the highest winning margin in the last six vice presidential elections held since 1997. As many as 55 MPs did not vote in the vice presidential election held from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday. The numbers were stacked in favour of Dhankhar as the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enjoys an absolute majority in Lok Sabha and has a clear advantage in Rajya Sabha.