BJD announces support for NDA candidate in Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Election

Bhubaneswar: BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik declared his party's support to NDA candidate Harivansh Narayan Singh in the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman election likely to be held on Monday.

The announcement came after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar again called up his Odisha counterpart on Monday seeking support for Janata Dal (United) leader Harivansh during the elections to the post, slated for later in the day.

On September 10, Nitish Kumar had spoken to Patnaik over telephone on the issue.

Notably, the BJD had supported Harivansh in the 2018 election as well. The post fell vacant when Harivansh Narayan Singh's term in the Rajya Sabha ended. He has since been re-elected to the Upper House from Bihar.

Singh, a JD(U) MP, had filed his nomination for the post on Wednesday.

Nine of the 10 Rajya Sabha members from the state are of the BJD

(With inputs from IANs and PTI)