In a smooth political maneuver, Harivansh Narayan Singh, the seasoned journalist and former Deputy Chairman, has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha once more. Sworn in on Friday by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, his fresh term kicks off from April 10 and will last till 2032.
The vacancy arose after ex-Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi retired, prompting President Droupadi Murmu to nominate Harivansh under the special powers of Article 80(1)(a) read with clause (3). The Union Home Ministry promptly notified this development, emphasizing his unparalleled contributions.
This marks Harivansh’s third stint in the Upper House. He first entered in 2014 via JD(U) from Bihar, later becoming Deputy Chairman on August 9, 2018. Unlike before, this nomination bypasses party elections, recognizing his eminence in media and governance.
The oath-taking overlapped with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s induction, who won election from Bihar and stepped down from the legislative council on March 30. The event drew top leaders like JP Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman, and Jairam Ramesh, underscoring its importance.
Constitutionally, the President nominates 12 members for their prowess in key fields, a tradition Harivansh now upholds. His re-entry promises robust parliamentary discourse, blending journalistic insight with legislative acumen amid evolving alliances in Bihar politics.
