Congress might lose RS deputy-chair post as PJ Kurien retires
Congress's losing spree continues. Losses in assembly polls have had a direct effect on its parliamentary strength. Now, with Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson PJ Kurien retiring in July, Congress might also lose this post after holding it for 41 consecutive years. What's more, for the first time in history, the top four positions of Parliament won't have a Congress nominee. Here's more about it.
How did the Congress lose top Lok Sabha posts?
In Lok Sabha, speaker and deputy speaker are elected by the MPs themselves. As per the convention, deputy speaker is chosen from the Opposition, while the speaker invariably comes from the ruling coalition. However, after BJP stormed to power in 2014, they denied Congress the post and instead gave it to the AIADMK, strengthening ties with a prospective ally.
Now, how is the RS Deputy Chairman elected?
RS Deputy Chairman is also elected by the MPs themselves. But, the nomination of Kurien's successor will be problematic. The ruling NDA doesn't have the required 123 seats to push its nominee. Apart from BJP's 68 seats, its allies have 18. So, BJP could use this opportunity to cement ties with disgruntled allies/friendly parties to put a non-BJP non-Congress candidate as Deputy Chairperson.
Then again, can Congress retain the RS Deputy Chair post?
Interestingly, since 1977, when Congress leader Ram Niwas Mirdha occupied the position, all deputy chairpersons have been Congress nominees. This continued even after BJP's Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was elected vice-president in 2002. But, after the recently concluded biennial RS polls, Congress was reduced to 50 seats. Thus, a Congress nominee for the deputy chair seems to be an almost impossible proposition.
