Harivansh was re-elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker of the Rajya Sabha for a third consecutive term on Friday, with the opposition boycotting the elections and staging a strike in protest. No opposition candidate has been fielded against the Janata Dal (United) leader after President Draupadi nominated Murmu Harivansh for the Senate.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the government should have first filled the post of Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, which has been vacant since 2019. “It would have been better if they had appointed anyone they wanted to the post,” he said.
Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party members walked out of the assembly, questioning the timing of the elections and the government’s approach to key parliamentary appointments. “What is the need to rush these elections in a special three-day session when assembly elections are being held in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu?” he asked. Derek O’Brien, TMC leader, asked Rajya Sabha. He said that no deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha had been appointed in seven years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Harivansh and described his re-election as a reflection of confidence in his behaviour. He said that Harivansh’s experience and ability to support all parties contributed to improving procedures in the Senate.
A former journalist from Bihar, Harivansh was first elected as the Vice-Chairman of the Rajya Sabha in 2018. The Vice-Chairman performs the duties of the Chairman in the absence of the Vice-Chairman, and is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
