Not in the race for deputy chairman post: Naresh Gujral

Amid reports of his candidature for the post of deputy chairman in the Rajya Sabha, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Naresh Gujral today said that he was not in the race.

Gujral, who is the Rajya Sabha member from Punjab, was tipped to be the BJP-led NDA's candidate for the post.

"The next deputy chairman should be elected unanimously. As far as myself is concerned, I am not in the race," he said.

Gujral's name was being considered as he has friends across party lines and there could be a consensus over his name for the post.

The post fell vacant after P J Kurien retired from the upper house of Parliament last month.

Opposition parties are also trying to project a non-Congress candidate for the post.

Earlier, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, who is also the chairman of the upper house, had suggested both the government and the opposition that they should unanimously elect a deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel has also said that there should be a consensus over the next deputy chairman.