Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar on Tuesday spoke to Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over phone seeking the BJD’s support for NDA candidate Harivansh Naryan Singh for the Raja Sabha Deputy Chairman post.
later, BJP president Amit Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh telephoned Patnaik seeking his support for the NDA candidate. Similarly, NCP chief Sharad Pawar also called and requested Patnaik to support his party’s Vandana Chavan, whom the Opposition has chosen for the election.
later, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra informed that Naveen Patnaik would take a final call in this regard. However, he mentioned that the JD(U) had not supported Presidential candidate PA Sangma despite a request from the BJD. Currently, there are 244 members in the Rajya Sabha and support of 123 members is needed for a win in the full House.
The BJD has nine members in the Upper House. Win for the NDA candidate would be a certainty if the BJD supports him.
The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha election will be held on August 9. The post has remained vacant after PJ Kurien retired on June 30.