Now everything 'Hari-Kripa' in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi on Harivansh Singh

New Delhi, Aug 9: "With Harivansh ji in the Rajya Sabha, ab sab Hari bharose, Hari Kripa (Everything is up to god, god's mercy)," this is how Prime Minister Narendra Modi quipped as the house congratulated Harivansh.

The PM was full of praise for the new RS deputy chairman - a former journalist - and also said he was a favourite of former PM Chandra Shekhar.

"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," said PM Modi.

"Today we mark the anniversary of the Quit India Movement. Harivansh ji hails from Ballia, a land linked with freedom fighters. He has been inspired by Loknayak JP," PM Modi said.

PM Modi lauded Harivansh Singh's "talent of writing" as a journalist and said that he was a generous soul. He said he hoped the new deputy chairperson would bring these values to the House as well.

"Harivansh ji is well read and has written a lot. He has served society for years," he said.

Ruling NDA candidate and JD(U) member Harivansh was today elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, securing 125 votes as against 105 polled by opposition candidate BK Hariprasad. The post of the deputy chairman was lying vacant since the retirement of P J Kurien on July 1.