BJP leaders express hope for 'smooth run' as Harivansh Narayan Singh elected as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman

JD(U) parliamentarian in Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh was elected as the new Deputy Chairperson of the Upper House on Thursday after he won the election with 125 ayes against 105 noes. The ruling NDA fielded Singh as its candidate and sources in the BJP according to various reports said he had expected to get the support of 126 members in the Upper House, which has an effective strength of 244 MPs. Singh was pitted against Opposition’s candidate BK Hariprasad, who is a three-time Congress MP. Various parties including the Samajwadi Party, NCP, BSP, DMK, CPI, CPM and also TMC, TDP extended support to the joint Opposition’s candidate. Here is how politicians and Cabinet members reacted to Singh’s appointment: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Singh on his win and addressed the Rajya Sabha soon after the result. He said,  that “He (Singh) has been blessed with the talent of writing.” Modi also lauded Singh’s ethics and expressed hope that the new Deputy Chairperson will use his experience in journalist in maintaining the decorum of the Upper House. He also thanked the Rajya Sabha MPs and said that he was “glad” for support from across party lines.

I congratulate Harivansh ji on behalf of the whole house. He has been blessed with the talent of writing. He was also a favourite of former PM Chandra Shekhar ji: PM Modi #RajyaSabhaDeputyChairman pic.twitter.com/jmySo2x6fI

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2018

Working closely with Chandra Shekhar Ji, Harivansh Ji knew in advance that Chandra Shekhar Ji would resign. However, he did not let his own paper have access to this news. This shows his commitment to ethics and public service: PM @narendramodi in the Rajya Sabha

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 9, 2018

I thank all the Rajya Sabha MPs who supported Shri Harivansh Ji. It is gladdening that he got support across party lines. pic.twitter.com/Sp7pYybG2r

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 9, 2018

Reacting to Congress candidate Hariprasad’s loss, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, said: “Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose.”

Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose: Sonia Gandhi on NDA Candidate Harivansh elected as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/Xgsu6e5vip

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2018

Leader of BJP in the Upper House, Arun Jaitley, extended his best wishes to Singh for the “new assignment”. This was the first time Jaitley attended a Rajya Sabha session since May, when he underwent a renal transplant.

Congratulations to Shri Harivansh ji on being elected as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Our best wishes to him for the new assignment.

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) August 9, 2018

National president of the BJP, Amit Shah, expressed confidence in Singh’s experience and said that all “member houses” would be able to run smoothly, with “healthy discussions” of issues.

NDA के प्रत्याशी श्री हरिवंश नारायण सिंह जी को राज्यसभा के उप सभापति चुने जाने पर हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएं। मैं NDA के सभी सहयोगी दलों व अन्य राज्यसभा सदस्यों का हरिवंश जी का इस चुनाव में समर्थन करने के लिए आभार व्यक्त करता हूँ।

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 9, 2018

Ram Madhav, National General Secretary of the BJP, tweeted that Singh’s win the election shows the failure of the Opposition’s grand alliance. “Mahagatabandhan falls flat once again. NDA candidate Harivansh Narayan Singh won RS Dy Chairman election with more votes than what NDA had. Congrats to Singh.”

Mahagatabandhan falls flat once again. NDA candidate Harivansh Narayan Singh won RS Dy Chairman election with more votes than what NDA had. Congrats to Singh.

— Ram Madhav (@rammadhav_) August 9, 2018

Union minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, said he was “sure” the Upper House would benefit from Singh’s appointment as Deputy Chairman.

Congratulations to NDA's Shri. #HarivanshNarayanSingh Ji for being elected as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha. I am sure upper house of the Parliament will be benefitted with your eminence knowledge and experience.

— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) August 9, 2018