Opposition to Abstain from Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Vote on April 17: Jairam Ramesh
Synopsis
In a significant political move, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh announced that the Opposition will boycott the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman election on April 17, citing a lack of consultation and unprecedented nominations.
Key Takeaways
Opposition's Decision: The Opposition, led by Jairam Ramesh, is boycotting the election.
Concerns Raised: Lack of consultation and unprecedented nominations are key issues.
Harivansh's Background: A seasoned politician and former journalist, he has served multiple terms as Deputy Chairman.
New Delhi, April 16 (NationPress) - Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh announced on Thursday that the Opposition has made the decision to abstain from the election of the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman, which is set for April 17.
In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh elaborated on the reasons for this decision.
"Firstly, the Modi Government has not appointed a Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha for the past seven years, which is unprecedented," he stated.
"Secondly, the equivalent position in the Rajya Sabha is that of the Deputy Chairman. Shri Harivansh’s second term concluded on April 9. A day later, he was nominated by the President of India to the Rajya Sabha and is now the NDA's candidate for Deputy Chairman for a third term. It is unusual for someone nominated by the President to the Rajya Sabha to be considered for the role of its Deputy Chairman," he added.
Ramesh also claimed that the nomination process lacked adequate consultation.
"Thirdly, this entire process is occurring without any substantial discussions with the Opposition. For these three reasons, and as a form of protest—while not disrespecting the esteemed Shri Harivansh—the Opposition has decided to boycott the Deputy Chairman election on April 17," he explained.
He expressed hope for a more inclusive approach in the future.
"The Opposition anticipates that Shri Harivansh 3.0 will be more open to and considerate of the Opposition's requests," Ramesh remarked.
In the meantime, the election for the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman is scheduled for April 17.
Harivansh (69), hailing from Ranchi in Jharkhand, has been a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha representing Bihar since April 10, 2014, and was re-elected on April 10, 2020.
A former journalist turned politician, he was first elected as Deputy Chairman on August 9, 2018, defeating Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad with a vote count of 125 to 105. After his term ended in April 2020, he was re-elected on September 14, 2020, beating RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha.
Harivansh took over from Congress leader P.J. Kurien following his retirement in July 2018. He is among the few non-Congress leaders to have held this position, following B.D. Khobragade of the Republican Party of India (December 1969 to April 1972) and Godey Murahari of the Samyukta Socialist Party (April 1972 to March 1977, across two terms).
Point of View
It's essential to recognize the Opposition's stance on the upcoming Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman election. The reasons stated by Jairam Ramesh reflect concerns over governance and representation, indicating a significant political moment that may shape future dialogues between the ruling party and the Opposition.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Opposition boycotting the election?
The Opposition, led by Jairam Ramesh, is boycotting the election due to the lack of a Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha for seven years, inadequate consultation, and the unprecedented nomination of Harivansh by the President.
Who is the NDA's candidate for Deputy Chairman?
The NDA's candidate for Deputy Chairman is Shri Harivansh, who has previously held the position.
When is the election for the Deputy Chairman scheduled?
The election for the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman is scheduled for April 17.
