NDA''s Harivansh Singh elected Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 9

The NDA nominee and JD (U) leader Harivansh Singh was elected to the post of Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha by defeating Opposition nominee and Congress leader BK Hariprasad by 20 votes.

Singh got 125 votes against the Opposition nominee’s 105. While two members abstained, 12 members did not come to vote.

The present effective strength of the House is 244 on account of one vacancy.

Singh’s win is a setback to the opposition as he mustered votes higher than the present BJP-led NDA strength in the House.

The AIADMK, BJD and TRS are understood to have voted in favour of Singh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who came to the House after the voting, congratulated Singh on being elected.

Hailing Singh for his dedication to work for the public, especially as a journalist, Modi hoped the members would get guidance from him.

Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley who attended the House after ailment also congratulated Singh, so did Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Azad hoped Singh would give due attention to the Opposition benches.

The post of Deputy Chairman is important as he conducts affairs of the House in the absence of Chairman.

The post has been lying vacant since July 1 when PJ Kurien retired.