New Delhi: The opposition parties are likely to put up Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha as its candidate for the post of Rajya Sabha deputy chairman.
According to the sources, the opposition parties, however, are yet to come to a consensus before taking a final call.
The NDA candidate, and Janata Dal (United) MP, Harivansh has already filed his nomination for the post.
Jha is likely to file his nomination on September 11 and with this the fight would become more interesting as both candidates hail from Bihar, where the Assembly elections are to be held soon, making it effectively a JDU versus RJD contest.
The Opposition had earlier discussed the name of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Tiruchi Siva, but the Upper House leader from Tamil Nadu had refused to contest.
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Jha, a first time MP from Bihar is considered to be a great orator and is also known for his sincerity in the Parliament.
Meanwhile, Harivansh was the last person holding the post as well and it was the end of his Rajya Sabha term which had caused the vacancy.
The NDA with 116 out of the total 245 members of the Upper House is very close to the majority and is also likely to get support from other parties such as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), YSR Congress Party, Telangana Rashtra Samiti, among others.
The election to the Deputy Chairman post will be held on September 14, the first day of Parliament's monsoon session. The session is scheduled to end on October 1. (Inputs from agencies)
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