Rajya Sabha MP Shreyams Kumar backs RJD leader Manoj Jha's candidature for RS deputy chairman post

Several opposition parties on Thursday decided to field RJD leader Manoj Jha as their joint candidate for the September 14 election of the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman. Jha will file his nomination papers on Friday in presence of leaders of various opposition parties.

Kochi: Rajya Sabha MP M V Shreyams Kumar on Thursday backed the candidature of senior RJD leader Manoj Jha for the post of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman, saying his victory was 'crucial' for upholding the country's democratic values.

Opposition parties have jointly put up the name of Jha, who is Rashtriya Janata Dal National Spokesperson, as their candidate in the election to the post of deputy chairman of the Upper House scheduled to be held on September 14.

"I offer my support to the candidature of Prof Manoj Jha. His candidature and his victory are crucial for the opposition unity and for upholding the democratic values of our country," Shreyams Kumar, who is also the leader of Loktantrik Janata Dal, said in a statement.

Jha will file his nomination papers on Friday in the presence of various opposition parties' leaders. He will contest against NDA's nominee Harivansh of the JD-U.

Harivansh was the RS deputy chairman till his previous term was over. He has since been re-elected from Bihar. The RJD and JDU are arch-rivals in Bihar where assembly elections are due soon.

(PTI)