If elected, will build bridges between parties: Opposition’s V-P pick Margaret Alva

Ahead of the vice-presidential poll, the Opposition’s candidate Margaret Ava has said she will work towards building bridges between political parties if she gets elected.

Ahead of the vice-presidential poll on Saturday (August 6), the Opposition’s choice Margaret Ava has written to the MPs from all parties expressing that she will work towards building bridges between political parties if she gets elected.

"If elected Vice President, I commit myself to work tirelessly to uphold the Constitution and to strengthen our parliamentary democracy. As Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, I will work to build bridges between different political parties, forge consensus on issues of national importance, and help restore the glory of Parliament," she told the MPs.

In her appeal to MPs, Alva wrote, "Today, Parliament is virtually at a standstill, with communication between members broken. There is distrust, anger, and the inability to debate issues of critical national importance without personal attacks and abuse. This diminishes Parliament and its members in the eyes of the people."

Also read: 'Big brother' always listening to conversations between politicians in 'new' India: VP candidate Margaret Alva

The veteran Congress leader said it was time for a change. "The time for change is now. The reason the election to the Vice President's post is not subject to a party whip and is by secret ballot, is to give members an opportunity to vote without fear for a candidate they believe will do justice to this critical position. A candidate who will be impartial, fearless, and run the upper house in a manner befitting its stature," she told the MPs.

She later took to Twitter to explain why she wrote to the MPs telling why the vice-presidential poll was not just another election.

Also read: Who is Margaret Alva, Opposition’s candidate for vice-president?