According to sources from New Delhi it was stated that NDA vice-presidential candidate M Venkaiah Naidu said he wanted to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi come back to power in 2019 and then join social service but "destiny decided otherwise". Sources have stated that Naidu, who has quit the BJP, suggested he was keen to strengthen Modi's "great leadership" and rejected reports that he wished to continue as minister.
Naidu said, “The country has got a great leadership and we should strengthen the country through that leadership and move forward which was his wish and there was no intention as some people are saying that he wanted to continue as a minister".
He also said he would not do any campaigning as the Electoral College for the vice-presidential poll comprised members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha and all of them were in the capital due to the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Moreover he underlined the difference between the demands of the job of the vice-president, which has "defined constitutional responsibilities", and his public profile for the last four decades.
