Harivansh Narayan Singh

This conference is held every two years in which the Presiding Officers of more than 30 Commonwealth parliaments discuss issues of common concern and share experiences

JD(U) chief spokesman Neeraj Kumar on Monday lashed out at Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh for taking part in the inauguration of the new Parliament building despite boycott of the function by the party. In a strongly worded statement, Kumar deplored the journalist-turned-politician's participation in a function where "even your Chairman, the Honourable Vice President, was not present". "The party had sent you to the Rajya Sabha in recognition of your contributions to journalism. But when a dark chapter in the history of parliamentary democracy in the country, you traded intellectual integrity for your high office", said the JD(U) spokesman. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the party's supreme leader, had defended the boycott of the function terming it as "an attempt to change history by those who had made no contribution to the freedom struggle". More than 20 parties opposed to the BJP had boycotted Sunday's function, insisting that President Draupadi Murmu, and not Prime

Harivansh reiterated his stand that the farm bills were passed on September 20 as per procedure and the division of votes demanded by the opposition could not be taken up as the House was not in order

Harivansh announced a 24-hour long fast, hoping that this may inspire a feeling of "self-purification" in them

Narendra Modi showered praise on Harivansh after he offered tea to opposition MPs sitting on dharna, saying his "inspiring" and "statesmanlike" conduct will make every democracy lover proud

Giriraj Singh reacted strongly to the ruckus created in the Rajya Sabha and claimed that "even the murder of the Rajya Sabha's Deputy Chairman could have happened" if marshals weren't present

The sit-in protest by eight suspended MPs on Parliament premises continued for the second day on Tuesday, with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh offering them tea in the morning

Rajya Sabha on Monday re-elected Janata Dal (United) parliamentarian Harivansh Narayan Singh as deputy chairman of the Upper House by voice vote

The election will take place on September 14

The post of Rajya Sabha deputy chairman has been lying vacant since the retirement of P J Kurien on July 1