New Delhi: Opposition parties will meet on Monday to chalk out a strategy for the coming Monsoon Session of Parliament and are likely to pass a resolution pressing the government to call for election to the post of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson as early as possible. Meanwhile, speculation was rife that Congress party, which has the largest number of 51 seats in the Upper House among Opposition parties, has offered the seat to the Nationalist Congress Party.
Sources said the most likely candidate from the NCP was senior leader Majid Memon.
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar is likely to be present at the meeting which would be held at Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad’s office in the Parliament building.
The Congress party has “in-principle” accepted the need for Opposition unity and had said that it was willing to give up the position to another party. However sources said that there has been a rethink on the strategy and a section of the Party was keen to push for its own candidate.
Senior leaders Anand Sharma and dalit face P.L. Punia are likely names from the Congress whose names are being considered.
Sources said there might also be a situation when a nominated member’s name is considered.
The meeting of Opposition parties will also discuss whether they should challenge the government’s efforts to postpone the election of a new Deputy Chairperson.
Speculation was rife that the government might postpone the polls pending the submission of a report for rejigging the rules of procedure the Upper House. A specially appointed committee was supposed to submit the report later this year.
Sources said the NDA would like to be sure of its numbers and not like to face defeat if there is a contest. They said the chances of a consensus on an Opposition candidate were also remote as the post has gone to the members of the ruling party in the recent past.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu had earlier this month called for the ruling and Opposition parties to build a consensus on the next deputy chairman.
