PATNA: Bihar’s ruling JD(U) on Tuesday reached out to the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and sought their support for its lawmaker and NDA candidate Harivansh Narayan Singh in the election to the post of deputy chairman in the Rajya Sabha.

While JD(U) president and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar telephoned BJD chief Naveen Patnaik, TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao and a senior leader of SAD; the JD(U)’s national secretary general K C Tyagi spoke to senior functionaries of TDP and INLD and requested for their parties’ support to Singh, a first-time Rajya Sabha member from Bihar.

Tyagi said told TOI that Nitish Kumar personally telephoned Patnaik and Rao this morning and made a keen request to both the leaders for their parties support to the JD(U) candidate.

Tyagi also claimed that the BJD, which has nine members in the Rajya Sabha, agreed to vote in favour of the NDA candidate.

However, Rao reportedly told the JD(U) president that he would discuss the matter with senior TRS colleagues and take a final decision.

Nitish’s telephone call to Patnaik and Rao assumes much significance as the NDA and the opposition appeared to be heading for a showdown in the election to the post of deputy chairman, to be held on August 9.

As the BJP-led NDA lacks a clear majority in the upper house, the support of regional parties like AIADMK (having 13 members), Biju Janata Dal (nine), TRS (six) and YSR Congress Party (two members) are very crucial for the JD(U) candidate.

Bihar’s ruling JD(U) has six members in the upper house, while BJP has largest 73 members, followed by 50 members of Congress.

Tyagi said, the NDA candidate was sure of getting the support of 13 member-AIADMK. “We are also getting support from the TDP (six members) SAD (three) and INLD (one),” the JD(U) national spokesperson claimed to TOI.

“Victory of the NDA candidate is almost certain. We have gathered support of more than the magic number of 123,” Tyagi said.

The current strength of Rajya Sabha is 244 and support of 123 members would be required for a win in the full house.

