Poll process kicks off for RS dy chairman amid speculations

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New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Even as the Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday set in motion the process for election of the deputy chairman of the House, holding talks on the issue with the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, speculations are rife regarding the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) getting the coveted post.
According to sources, the RS Chairman called Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar and discussed the polling procedures and various precedents regarding the election of deputy chairman.
RS Secretary General Desh Dipak Verma was also present during the deliberations.
Meanwhile, hectic deliberations are on among the opposition parties to wrest the post. Some opposition parties are of the view that the post should go to a non-BJP, non-Congress party leader and some of them are in touch with the Congress for its support to the proposal.
Political circles in Odisha are abuzz with speculations that the BJP may allot the post to BJD. According to sources, the saffron party is keen to get the support of BJD in parliament in case it fails to secure an absolute majority in the 2019 general elections.
Although both the BJD and BJP are yet to confirm or deny the reports, speculations are rife that the MP Prasanna Acharya is a favourite for the post, provided the BJP decides in favour of the ruling party in Odisha.
In the meantime, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee chief Niranjan Patnaik Tuesday told the media in Bhubaneswar Tuesday that his party would support a BJD nominee for the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman’s post. However, there is no confirmation from his party high command in this regard.
The RS deputy chairman’s post falls vacant July 2 on the expiry of the tenure of incumbent P J Kurien as member of the Upper House a day before.
As per Rule 7 (1) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States, the Chairman of Rajya Sabha will fix the date of election which is to be informed to every member.