Incumbent Hamid Ansari, who was named as UPA's nominee for vice-presidential election, on Saturday said he accepts the decision with "all humility" and thanked all political parties who supported his name.
"I thank the Prime Minister, the UPA chairperson, ingredient members of the UPA and those parties which have supported my candidature and for the confidence reposed in me for
Vice president Hamid Ansari talks to the media after his name was announced as UPA's vice-presidential candidate, in New Delhi. HT/Sunil Saxena
shouldering once again the responsibility of this high office," he said soon after his name was endorsed at a meeting of UPA partners.
He said he accepts the candidature "in all humility".
Before Ansari made the brief statement to reporters, parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal drove to the vice president's house to officially convey UPA's decision.
Bansal said the name of Ansari for the post of the vice president for a second term was decided in view of the "dignity and distinction with which he conducted and presided over the Rajya Sabha in the first term."
It is learnt that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and BSP chief Mayawati spoke with Ansari earlier on Saturday.