New Delhi, Aug 6: Suddenly the entire political focus has shifted on the election of deputy chairman in the Rajya Sabha after Chairman M Venkaiyah Naidu announced August 9, 2018 as the election date. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party apparently supporting the name of Janata Dal (U) Rajya Sabha MP and journalist Harbans Narayan Singh. However, the BJP as per its original plans wanted to drag the matter for long without conducting the elections.
Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on August 6, 2018 announced that last date for nomination is August 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier made it clear to party colleagues that the post of deputy chairman would go to one of the NDA allies. Meanwhile, the Vice President had called for the ruling and opposition parties to build a consensus on next deputy Chairman of the Upper House. "I hope the ruling and the opposition parties will find a suitable replacement with consensus for Prof Kurien as the election of new Deputy Chairperson will be held soon," he said.
The most bitter opponent of the NDA government, All India Trinamool Congress wants Shubhendu Shekhar Roy to be made the opposition candidate while as per the original plan of the BJP Shiromani Akali Dal leader Naresh Gujarat was the most suitable candidate of the NDA. Party sources said that the name of Harbans Singh is such that even some opposition party leaders will agree to his name. His image is also very good as a man of conviction that might help him to sail through.
The Congress and other opposition political parties are churning to have such a candidate who is able to defeat the NDA candidate. In a 245-member Rajya Sabha the BJP has 73 members while the Congress has 50 members. The NDA with its full strength has the support of 112 MPS and even if Biju Janata Dal supports NDA candidate the number will be 121 which is still short of the magic number. Total 122 members will be required for the victory of any candidate.