'Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose': Sonia Gandhi

JD(U)'s Harivansh secured 125 votes as against 105 polled by Congress' BK Hariprasad.

New Delhi, Aug 9: "Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose" was the reaction of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi after National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s candidate Harivansh Narayan Singh was elected as the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha today (August 9). Singh defeated opposition's BK Hariprasad by 20 votes.

JD(U)'s Harivansh secured 125 votes as against 105 polled by Congress' BK Hariprasad.

The post of the deputy chairman was lying vacant since the retirement of P J Kurien on July 1. The entire House congratulated Harivansh with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley and Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad felicitating him.

The nomination of Harivansh was proposed by Ram Prasad Singh and BJP President Amit Shah among others. Jaitley, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar and Senior Congress leader Azad accompanied Harivansh to the seat designated for the Deputy Chairman in the House, which is next to that of the Leader of Opposition.

The Prime Minister congratulated Harivansh on his election. Jaitley, who is recuperating after a renal transplant, attended the house after a long gap. Speaking on the occasion, Modi talked about achievements of Harivansh, a journalist for about four decades.

Modi, Azad and several other MPs welcomed Jaitley for attending the House after the transplant. Azad advised Jaitley to take some more rest. Harivansh later presided over the proceedings of the House and was applauded with thumping of desks by members. Soon thereafter he adjourned the House till 2 PM.