Unopposed election marks a rare consensus between treasury and opposition benches
New Delhi, April 17: Harivansh Narayan Singh was on Friday re-elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for a third consecutive term, becoming only the third leader to achieve this milestone. His re-election came unopposed, with no candidate fielded by the opposition.
The development reflected a rare moment of consensus in Parliament, as Leader of the House J.P. Nadda and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge jointly escorted Singh to the Chair at the start of proceedings.
Broad Political Support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Harivansh, acknowledging his experience and contributions to the effective functioning of the Upper House. Leaders across party lines extended their support, underlining the importance of continuity and stability in parliamentary proceedings.
Mallikarjun Kharge also conveyed his best wishes, while expressing hope that all political parties would be given fair opportunities to participate in House proceedings.
Opposition’s Observations
During the proceedings, opposition leaders raised concerns over the continued vacancy of the Deputy Speaker’s post in the Lok Sabha since 2019, calling it inconsistent with established democratic practices.
Role and Significance
The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha presides over the House in the absence of the Chairman (Vice President of India) and plays a crucial role in maintaining order, ensuring smooth debates, and upholding parliamentary procedures.
Harivansh, known for his background in journalism and public service, has been credited by members across the political spectrum for conducting proceedings with balance and decorum.
His re-election is expected to provide continuity in the functioning of the Upper House during a politically significant period.
(With inputs from H.S.) Inputs & Images courtesy: Hindusthan Samachar (H.S.)
Edited by: Dikshita Bollu
Last Updated on: Friday, April 17, 2026 1:24 pm by Bollu Dikshitha | Published by: Bollu Dikshitha on Friday, April 17, 2026 1:24 pm | News Categories: India
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