The opposition has an upper hand in the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman contest

On paper, the combined opposition has the numbers to elect a deputy chairperson of its choice

Ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, the ruling NDA and the opposition are gearing up for yet another battle: To elect the successor of Rajya Sabha deputy chairman PJ Kurien. The election will also be a test of opposition unity as well as the efforts by some regional parties to give shape to a ‘federal front’. Currently, the Rajya Sabha has 241 members with four vacancies. Three of these vacancies are for candidates to be nominated by the President. They are likely to be filled up by the time the monsoon session begins on July 18. If this happens,