BJP issues whip to Rajya Sabha MPs as Harivansh Singh files nomination for deputy chairman post

NEW DELHI: With politics brewing over the election for the post of Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, the ruling BJP has issued a three-line whip to all its RajyaSabha members to be present in the House on September 14, the day the House reconvenes and the election takes place. Earlier on Wednesday the NDA candidate — Janata Dal (United) MP Harivansh Narayan Singh — filed his nomination for the post of Deputy Chairman of the RajyaSabha.

The whip issued by Shiv PratapShukla, BJP's Chief Whip in the Upper House, cited, "very important legislative business". The whip instructs, "All members of BJP in RajyaSabha are therefore, requested to be positively present in the House throughout the day on Monday, September 14, 2020 and support the government's stand".

The Congress had mooted the idea of the Opposition putting up a joint candidate for the RS Deputy Chairman's post. The name of DravidaMunnetraKazhagam (DMK) leader Tiruchi Siva has almost been finalised as the common candidate by the Opposition.

Sources say the Congress has spoken to DMK Chief MK Stalin and he has given his consent to the name of Siva who is a senior leader of the party and a four-time RajyaSabha MP. The election will be held at 3 p.m. on September 14. Nominations will be accepted till noon on September 11. (IANS)

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