Nitish seeks BJD’s support for Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson

Bhubaneswar: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday talked with his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik and requested him for BJD’s support for NDA’s nominee for the deputy chairperson of Rajya Sabha.

The election is scheduled to be held on August 9.

Harivansh Narayan Singh of the JD(U) is likely to be the NDA’s candidate for the post.

BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said Bihar Chief Minister spoke with Odisha Chief Minister and sought party’s support for Singh.

He, however, said party president Naveen Patnaik will announce decision on Wednesday.

BJD has nine MPs in the upper house.

Sources said that with neither the NDA nor the UPA having a majority in the Rajya Sabha, the support of BJD is crucial for both NDA and UPA.

The post of the Deputy Chairman has been lying vacant since July this year following the retirement of PJ Kurien.