Opposition candidate for Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha and RJD MP Manoj K Jha in a letter to all non-BJP lawmakers of the Upper House, while appealing for their support, said the contest is not about numbers but about two different versions of Parliamentary democracy.
Also read | India's Parliament is missing in action
Mr. Jha filed his nomination on Friday. Mr. Jha noted in his letter that it is the collective will of the Opposition that this election should not be seen as a contest for power to legislate at the level of the Union government, nor should it be seen as a contest between two individuals.
“In view of the great Parliamentary tradition, this election is about two different versions of our parliamentary democracy — one which sees it as a number game and the other which places importance on critique, discussion and consensus building in the interest of our country and its people,” Mr. Jha wrote.
Number favour BJP
The election is heavily tilted in favour of the ruling coalition, led by BJP, who have again fielded JD(U) MP and former Deputy Chairman Harivansh. Mr. Harivansh was Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman till his previous term ended in April. He has since been re-elected to the Upper house from Bihar. Mr. Harivansh defeated Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad and won by 125 votes to 105 votes in elections held in August 2018.
Also read | A 'democracy capture' | A 'new' democracy?
This time around the ruling coalition is in a far better position with BJP leaders claiming the support of 140 members.
There are also differences within the Opposition with the DMK withdrawing its candidate at the last minute.
Mr. Jha also sought to make this a battle for rights of States. “I am requesting your support not simply to win an election but to make a strong statement in favour of an accountable system of governance. A system in which regional parties that have formed State governments do not have to depend on quid pro quo with the party in power at the Centre just to maintain a non-adversarial, federal State-Union relationship.”
