Opposition leaders at the swearing in of Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy. (TNN file photo)

NEW DELHI: Major opposition parties that met to devise joint strategy ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament decided that Congress, Trinamool and Samajwadi Party — parties with significant numbers in Rajya Sabha — should work out a common candidate for deputy chairman.

The decision came amid opposition parties voicing the view that the government could prefer to delay election of the deputy chairman since numbers were not in favour of the treasury benches. Given his seniority and political heft, NCP leader Sharad Pawar will also be part of the consultations.

The 13 parties which attended the meeting hosted by Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad arrived at a consensus on supporting a common opposition candidate to be decided upon by the three parties with the most Rajya Sabha MPs, along with NCP.

Pawar’s suggestion that the “three major parties should be entrusted with the responsibility of choosing a common candidate for the deputy chairman’s election” was accepted. After BSP member Satish Mishra asked who the opposition candidate would be, TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said his party had decided not to put up its candidate but would support whoever emerged as a consensus name.

While the opposition parties are wary of the government holding the election during the session, the MPs took note of the fact that the deputy chairman’s official chamber in Parliament has been done away with and the room has been attached to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu’s office. A source said, “While this information generated some mirth in the meeting, it also came as a shock to many, especially those who are aware of parliamentary norms.”

Government sources said another room was made available for P J Kurien when he was deputy chairman. He did not use the room before he retired on July 1and it is expected to be available for the next incumbent.

The opposition has decided to go ahead with finding a common candidate who can be acceptable to the most number of political parties in the upper House.

Sources said chances of a non-Congress candidate had brightened as the opposition was looking to bring together parties which were positioning themselves against BJP but were averse to joining hands with Congress. Naveen Patnaik’s BJD, Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and K Chandrasekhar Rao’s TRS have kept themselves at a distance from both Congress and BJP.

Opposition parties believe the NDA is keen on fielding its candidate and also seeking the support of parties like BJD and AIADMK. The name of NDA partner Shiromani Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral is doing the rounds for the post.

Leaders of Congress, TMC, NCP, BSP, SP, RJD, DMK, CPM, CPI, JD(S), RSP, IUML, and KC-M were among those who attended the meeting.

