Congress likely to back opposition nominee for RS Deputy Chairman

New Delhi: Keen to further augment opposition unity in the run-up to the 2019 general elections, Congress may opt against fielding a candidate for the post of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman and work with other parties outside the NDA to put up a common candidate.

Informed sources said the combined opposition appears to have an edge in a contest for the post with the BJP-led NDA and informal parleys were being held on ways to further boost opposition numbers.

There is indications Trinamool Congress or a regional party may put up a candidate for the post. A nominee from a non-Congress opposition party could also get backing of some BJP allies such as the Janata Dal-United and Shiv Sena.

The election of new Deputy Chairman will be on the top of agenda of the upper house of parliament when it meets for the monsoon session on July 18. The incumbent P. J. Kurien is retiring on July 1.

The election will be seen as a test of the strength of opposition which has been signalling a combined fight against BJP-led NDA in the next Lok Sabha polls.

Opposition numbers have gone up with TDP leaving the ruling BJP-led NDA in March this year and the BJP parting ways with the People's Democratic Party earlier this month.

The outcome of a contest would also depend on the stance of parties such as Biju Janata Dal, Telangana Rashtra Samithi, AIADMK and YSRCP.