JD(U) MP Harivansh

NEW DELHI: Sensing an advantage in the numbers game, the NDA decided to field first-time JD(U) MP Harivansh for the post of Rajya Sabha deputy chairman, a decision intended to be a signal that the alliance in Bihar is firm, besides being an acknowledgement of the strength in the Upper House.

While the decision will mean that BJP and JD(U) intend to negotiate contentious seat-sharing claims for 2019, the Biju Janata Dal is set to play a pivotal role in the contest where the stance of “unaligned” parties will be crucial. Government managers expressed confidence that the matter would be settled by consensus.

Nine-member BJD holds key to RS dy chairman election

The opposition camp met on Monday evening and decided to reconvene for a final decision on Tuesday. The opposition leaders were expected to hold internal consultations on the possibility of a candidate before further discussions.

In a House of 245 MPs, government sources are confident that NDA could get at least 125 votes. It is looking for the backing of regional parties like AIADMK, TRS, BJD and YSR Congress, which had either voted in favour of NDA or had abstained from voting in the recent no-confidence motion moved by the opposition against the government.

NDA’s own strength in the House is 92 and three of the four nominated members are also set to vote for the government nominee. Harivansh will file his nomination on Wednesday with Vice-President and Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu announcing that if parties don’t reach a consensus, polling will take place on Thursday.

BJP chief Amit Shah is understood to have reached out to JD(U) leader and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Monday morning about the decision to field Harivansh. Coming in the wake of dissonance in the alliance, with JD(U) leaders often issuing statements at odds with BJP or incidents such as Kumar’s pointed refusal to participate in the World Yoga Day promoted by PM, the decision to field Harivansh will mean that the lines are firmly drawn in Bihar between NDA and RJD-Congress with little possibility of a dramatic change in script.

The nine-member BJD holds the key to the election as the party has still not formally declared support for the NDA candidate. Party sources said Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has not indicated his decision though BJP leaders maintained that they have sounded out BJD leaders for support. BJD leader in Lok Sabha .

The BJP’s move is intended to consolidate ties with allies and send a message that it is ready to be accommodating.

The AIADMK, which had supported the government in the no-confidence vote, has 13 members and is likely to support the NDA candidate. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (6) and the YSR Congress (2) are also expected to vote for NDA. Besides, the ruling camp has pinned its hopes on six Independents with one of them, Amar Singh, confirming that he will support the NDA nominee.

