Kurien elected Rajya Sabha deputy chairman

NEW DELHI - Congress member P J Kurien was on Tuesday unanimously elected as deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of parliament).

By (IANS)

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Published: Thu 23 Aug 2012, 12:22 AM

Last updated: Fri 3 Apr 2015, 9:53 AM

The motion for Kurien’s election was moved by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and seconded by leader of opposition Arun Jaitley.

Members from several other parties also seconded the motion. After Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari announced Kurien’s unanimous election, Manmohan Singh and Jaitley escorted him to his new seat, next to that of the leader of opposition in the house.

A Rajya Sabha member from Kerala, Kurien replaces K Rahman Khan whose term ended in April.

The prime minister complimented Kurien, 71, on his election, saying he had been a member of both the houses and had vast administrative experience. The prime minister said Kurien’s unanimous election showed the “esteem and support” he enjoys in the house. He said Kurien had been conducting proceedings of the house with aplomb as a member of the panel of Rajya Sabha deputy chairman and assured him “cooperation within the house to maximum extent possible to ensure smooth functioning”.

In his remarks, Jaitley said Kurien’s unanimous election was a “tribute to his pleasantness and patience.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader said Kurien had been a six-time member of the Lok Sabha and into his third term as member of the Rajya Sabha. “Few can match his experience,” Jaitley said, adding that Kurien had earned tremendous goodwill of members.

He also made a remark in banter, saying since Kurien had “literally crossed the floor (referring to deputy chairman’s seat being next to that of leader of opposition), I’m sure (he will be) very fair to the side he has switched on.”


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