The Rajya Sabha election to the post of deputy chairman, which is scheduled for August 9, Thursday, is assumed to be tangy, as the names of NCP’s Vandana Chavan and DMK’s Tiruchi Siva are suspected as possible opposition candidate. The post has fallen vacant after since Congress MP PJ Kurian’s term came to an end earlier this year.
NCP Rajya Sabha MP Vandana Chavan’s name is being considered by the UPA as a joint candidate for the post. The BJP, though the single largest party in the Rajya Sabha, does not enjoy clear majority in the House. Even with its current allies, it may still fall short of numbers. There have been efforts in the opposition ranks to mobilise support for a non-BJP MP for the post.
Opposition parties have earlier said they were in no mood to accept a BJP candidate. Even within the Opposition, several parties are not keen on supporting a Congress candidate.
Also read: Congress likely to back opposition nominee for RS Deputy Chairman
For the ruling party, the main voters are BJP (69), AIADMK (13), Nominated (7), JD-U (6) and Akali Dal and Shiv Sena (3 each). With Shiv Sena abstaining from the no-confidence motion last month, it is to be seen what strategy it will take.
