Rajya Sabha to Elect Deputy Chairman on April 17 Amid Likely NDA-Opposition Contest

New Delhi, April 2026 : The Rajya Sabha is set to elect its new Deputy Chairman on Friday, April 17, with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) expected to renominate Harivansh for another term.

The election assumes significance as the Opposition is likely to field a consensus candidate, setting the stage for a contest that reflects the prevailing political dynamics in Parliament. The post fell vacant after Harivansh’s tenure ended on April 9. He was subsequently nominated to the Upper House by Droupadi Murmu following a vacancy created by the retirement of former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. Harivansh took oath as a Rajya Sabha member on April 10.

The Deputy Chairman plays a crucial role in parliamentary functioning, presiding over proceedings in the absence of the Chairman, a position held ex-officio by the Vice President of India. The office demands neutrality and efficiency in conducting debates and maintaining order in the House.

The election process will be overseen by the Chairman, P. Radhakrishnan, and the candidate securing a simple majority of members present and voting will be declared elected. According to a Parliamentary Bulletin, voting is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m., shortly after the laying of official papers.

The timing of the election coincides with a special three-day session of Parliament beginning April 16. During this session, the government plans to deliberate on key legislations, including the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, and a proposed Delimitation Bill aimed at implementing one-third reservation for women in legislative bodies.

The delimitation exercise could significantly reshape India’s political landscape, with the number of Lok Sabha seats potentially increasing from 543 to 816. The process has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which postponed the Census originally scheduled for 2021. The Centre is now considering using 2011 Census data for this purpose.

The NDA has already begun reaching out to leaders across party lines to gather support for its candidate. However, Opposition parties appear inclined to contest the election, indicating a departure from consensus and highlighting sharper political divisions.

Meanwhile, Derek O’Brien of the Trinamool Congress raised concerns over the timing of the election. He argued that it clashes with upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal later this month.

With both sides preparing for a potential contest, the Deputy Chairman election is expected to be closely watched as a reflection of the current balance of power in Parliament.