Venkaiah Naidu

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Venkaiah Naidu is an Indian politician. He was the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party 2002 to 2004, which is currently the opposition party in the Parliament of India. He resigned on October 18, 2004 after taking responsibility for his party's defeat in the election in Maharashtra. The post was taken up by L.K. Advani. He refused to work under current president saying that he is his senior even though he never won an election. He usually has been able to be sycophant to senior leaders and remain in important position. BJP's biggest mass former leader Uma Bharti has accused him of overconfidence and thwarting attempts to build Ram temple in 2004.

Naidu was installed as BJP president after Jana Krishnamurthi stepped down in 2002.

On January 28, 2004, he was elected unopposed for a full 3 year term which was eventually cut short.

On January 29, 2005, his helicopter was set on fire by suspected Maoists during his campaign tour of Gaya, Bihar. At that time, he was addressing an election rally nearby and escaped unhurt. Currently he is a rajya sabha member and like some other party leaders has never won any major election. He has also been held responsible for off record briefings and tax evasions.