NDA nominee is Rajya Sabha deputy chief
SINGH POLLED 125 VOTES, WHILE 105 VOTES WENT TO CONGRESS-BACKED HARIPRASAD
On the penultimate day of the monsoon session of parliament yesterday, Harivansh Narayan Singh was elected as the deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha. Singh, a member of parliament of Janata Dal (United), had been fielded by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) against opposition’s candidate BK Hariprasad.
Singh got 125 votes against Hariprasad’s 105 in the 244-member Rajya Sabah. Fourteen members were absent.
The opposition had the support of Trinamool Congress (TMC), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Left parties, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
On Wednesday, Shiv Sena had said it would support NDA since the post was “apolitical”.
However, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal decided to boycott the election.
“If Rahul Gandhi can hug Narendra Modi, why he cannot ask Arvind Kejriwal for support to his party’s candidate,” AAP leader Sanjay Singh told media.
Besides Kejriwal’s party, YSR Congress and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of Mehbooba Mufti did not vote.
After being elected as the deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha, Singh said: “I come from a small village, which is located between two rivers. I used to study under a tree when I was a young boy. Back in those days, we heard big things about New Delhi or rather, Lutyens’ Delhi. I never imagined that one day I would hold an office as important as this in parliament. My roots will keep me grounded, and I will give my all to the benefit of my country.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Singh on his election.