JD(U) whip to MPs includes Rajya Sabha dy chairperson

Patna: The chief whip of the ruling JD(U) in Rajya Sabha, Anil Prasad Hegde, on Thursday directed all five party MPs, including deputy chairman of the Upper House, Harivansh, to be present on the remaining working days of the monsoon session of Parliament till August 11. The whip, which extends to the deputy chairman, is considered unusual as Harivansh is holding a constitutional post.The move becomes particularly significant as the Narendra Modi government at the Centre is scheduled to table the ordinance regarding the transfer-posting of the All India Services officials in Delhi as a bill.JD(U) and other parties of the 26-party Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, has decided to oppose the bill. It can be noted that AAP, which is in power in Delhi, joined the new opposition alliance only after getting Congress’s support against the bill.The whip, however, implies that even Harivansh will be constrained to oppose the bill though he holds a constitutional post, assumed to be above any party affiliation.Talking to TOI over phone from Delhi, Hegde said, “Yes, I have issued a whip to all our five RS MPs. It includes Harivansh.”A staff member of the residential office of Harivansh said he was at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan, and, therefore, was not available to comment on the issue.Asked about Harivansh’s likely position, Hegde said he will also vote like the other five JD(U) members. “There are no rules on voting by the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman,” Hegde said.
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