Ruling alliance still does not have the numbers to dictate terms in Upper House, fence-sitters could decide poll.
New Delhi: The ruling NDA is likely to have a tough time getting its candidate elected as the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The election is scheduled for 9 August, as announced by chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu Monday. The post fell vacant after P.J. Kurien’s term ended last week.
During the day, the opposition parties rallied to elect their candidate, C.M. Ramesh of the Telugu Desam Party (TD), to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the Upper House. This could now be their template for the deputy chairman’s election.
Both alliances, however, are yet to name their candidates. For the NDA candidate, the BJP is inclined to give it away to one of its allies, possibly the JD(U). The Congress is holding talks with other like-minded opposition parties to reach a consensus on a common candidate.
A numbers game
The ruling NDA combine has improved its tally in the Rajya Sabha but it is still not in a position to dictate terms. In the 244-member Upper House, the NDA, Independent and nominated MPs who are likely to vote for it, together have 93 MPs. This doesn’t include Shiv Sena MPs.
Also read: Numbers are stacked against BJP in election for Rajya Sabha deputy chairman
Many fence-sitters such as the AIADMK (13), the BJD (9), the YSRCP (2), and the TRS (6), among others, are likely to play a decisive role in the deputy chairman’s election.
The PDP, which has two MPs, has split with the NDA but it is not clear if the party would back a candidate fielded by the Congress-led opposition.
The Shiv Sena and the BJD had walked out and not participated in the no-confidence motion against the Modi government last month.
Of the six Independent MPs, two are unlikely to go with the ruling party in the 9 August election — Ritabrata Banerjee, who has grown close to the Trinamool Congress since his expulsion from the CPM, and Veerendra Kumar, whose RS candidature was backed by the LDF. Among the nominated MPs, K.T.S. Tulsi is close to the Congress.
Also read: RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha, classical dancer Sonal Mansingh among 4 nominated to Rajya Sabha
Prof PK Sharma, Freelance Journalist,Barnala (Punjab)
Time is very ripe for Opposition Parties to close its ranks together !
A golden opportunity to send a signal of unity to masses of India !
The opposition parties should not leave any stone unturned to demoralize
the already “demoralized, shaken and nightmarish BJP” with its shrunk
number of allies in the NDA !
The opposition should field a formidable candidate making all out efforts to
ensure his/her win !
Keeping in view, numbers arithmetic avenues are quite bright to score a well
deserved win !
Prof PK Sharma, Freelance Journalist
Pom Anm Nest,Barnala (Punjab)