Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Election: Voting ends, NDA's Harivansh Narayan Singh becomes deputy chairman
On the penultimate day of the monsoon session of parliament today, members voted to elect the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The ruling NDA fielded Janata Dal (United) MP Harivansh Narayan Singh, while the opposition backed three-time member of parliament BK Hariprasad of the Congress, for the post. NDA's Harivansh Narayan Singh won quite easily with 125 votes in his favour, while 105 votes went in favour of the opposition candidate.
Here are the LIVE Updates from the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairpersons election:
Sonia Gandhi Reacts To Harivansh Narayan Singh's Win In The Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman's Election Today
According to news agency ANI, Mrs Gandhi has reacted to the result of the Rajya Sabha deputy chaiman's election today, saying: "Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose".
Congress' candidate BK Hariprasad lost the election to NDA's Harivansh Narayan Singh.
Harivansh Narayan Singh's Speech After Being Elected Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman
I am honoured to be elected the deputy chairperson. I will do my duty for the country to the best of my ability.
I thank you all for your kinds words and good wishes are I take this responsibility.
I come from a small village, which is located between two rivers. I studied 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 one day. My roots will keep me grounded, and I will give my all to the benefit of my country.
I have learned a lot working with you all, and am certain that it will help me deal with matters better.
The opposition camp had the support of Trinamool Congress, DMK, Left parties, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Nationalist Congress Party. A recent addition was Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party, which exited the NDA earlier this year.
Besides Arvind Kejriwal's party, the YSR Congress and Mehbooba Mufti's PDP stayed out. Ms Mufti, whose alliance with the BJP ended recently, had initially indicated that she would support the opposition.
The majority mark in the 244-member Rajya Sabha is 123, but abstentions pulled down the majority mark to 119
With assiduous effort over the last two days, the BJP managed to get the support of miffed allies Akali Dal and Shiv Sena. After indicating that it might stay out of the battle, the Sena said yesterday that it would go along with the NDA candidate, since the post was "apolitical".
On the other side, the absence of a phone call made Arvind Kejriwal decide to boycott the election. AAP sources said the party chief is upset that Rahul Gandhi did not call and ask for support.
"If Rahul Gandhi can hug Narendra Modi, why cannot he ask Arvind Kejriwal for support to his party's candidate," said Sanjay Singh, who is also leader of AAP's three-member team in the Rajya Sabha.
The voting, which was expected to be close, was won with the nine crucial votes from the BJD. It was PM Modi's phonecall that helped Naveen Patnaik make up his mind to support the government, sources said.
In the gripping build-up over the last few days, PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah worked the phones and won over fence-sitters like Naveen Patnaik. The opposition votes came below expectation as the YSR Congress, the DMK and a Trinamool Congress lawmaker stayed out.
The government had 125 votes against opposition's 105. Congratulating Harivansh Narayan Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Harivansh Ji is well read and has written a lot. He has served society for years".
The government had an easy victory in the election for the post of the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman, as the opposition came up short in the contest that was seen as a test for its unity in the run-up to the 2019 national election.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Congratulates New Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan SinghI congratulate Harivansh ji on being elected the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. He is a very humble man.
I am happy that the Leader of the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley is present in parliament today.
Harivansh ji's experience, commitment and expertise of dealing people will help the Rajya Sabha. He used to earlier run a column on how the parliamentarians of the country should work. Little did he know that one day he will become the deputy chairperson of the upper house of parliament. We all will benefit from his experience.
Today we mark the anniversary of the Quit India Movement. Harivansh ji hails from Ballia, a land linked with freedom fighters. He has been inspired by Loknayak JP. He also spent time in Varanasi.
Here is a leader who worked with a statesman like Chandra Shekhar Ji
Working closely with Chandra Shekhar ji, Harivansh ji knew in advance that Chandra Shekhar ji would resign. However, he did not let his own paper have access to this news. This shows his commitment to ethics and public service.
Harivansh ji is well read and has written a lot. He has served society for years. With him in the Rajya Sabha, things are now 'hari bharose, hari kripa'.
I also want to congratulate opposition candidate BK Hariprasad ji for being a part of the election for Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
I wish Harivansh ji all the best for his new role.
Congress Leader Ghulam Nabi Azad Congratulates Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Haricansh Narayan Singh
Congress' leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad congratulates new deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh. He says:
"In elections, someone wins and someone loses, but the deputy chairman does not belong to any single party. He belongs to the country now. In fact, it is my belief that the chairman and deputy chairman of the House should protect the opposition as they are the ones who are undernourished. The ruling party is already well nourished."
Government scores an easy over the opposition as NDA candidate Harivansh Narayan Singh gets 125 votes, making him the new deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The majority mark was 119.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Election - Voting Begins
JUST IN:
Voting begins in Rajya Sabha to elect the deputy chairperson of the upper house of Parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah have worked the phones over the last few days to reach out to allies and friendly parties outside the alliance to ensure a win.
Mr Patnaik's promise of support to Harivansh Narayan Singh, a first-time lawmaker from Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United, places the NDA in a comfortable position vis--vis Congress lawmaker BK Hariprasad, the candidate supported by opposition parties in the 244-member house.
A late evening announcement by Biju Janata Dal's Naveen Patnaik has given the ruling BJP-led national coalition's candidate a clear edge in today's Rajya Sabha deputy chairman's election.
The government has the edge as voting begins today. The opposition, however, has accused the government of using tactics to swing votes in its favour.
The ruling NDA has fielded Janata Dal (United) MP Harivansh Narayan Singh, while the opposition will be backing three-time member of parliament BK Hariprasad of the Congress, for the post.
On the penultimate day of the monsoon session of parliament today, members will vote to elect the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.