NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party is likely to support a non-BJP, non-Congress candidate for the post of the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, confirmed the sources. The AAP on Monday also received support from various non-Congress and non-BJP political parties.
The speculation increased after four heavyweight regional players came in solidarity for CM Kejriwal and met the party leaders. Various political parties except BJP and Congress came out in the support of the AAP in past few days.
While several regional parties, including the TMC, the Telugu Desam Party, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Left have extended support to the Aam Aadmi Party leader, Congress has criticised Kejriwal for his "theatrics". Kejriwal's campaign against Lieutenant-General Anil Baijal, a central government appointee, over his alleged attempts to stall his government's functioning has become a rallying point for many Opposition parties against the BJP. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Andhra Pradesh's N Chandrababu Naidu and Karnataka's HD Kumaraswamy had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the sidelines of the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting on Sunday and urged them to resolve the standoff.
With three regional parties like BJD, TRS, and YSRCP holding the key to the election of Rajya Sabha's deputy chairman, both the ruling NDA and the opposition parties are trying to woo them. The Opposition's combined strength in the Upper House including the erstwhile BJP-ally TDP has 117 votes. But the winning candidate will require 122 votes in the 245-member House.
The BJP, which is the single largest party in the Upper House has the support of 106 members, including that of 14 AIADMK members.
The BJD with nine members in the Upper House, however, has been maintaining equal distance from both the BJP and the Congress and is yet to decide which way to go. Similarly, the other two parties — TRS with six members and the YSRCP with two members — are yet to open their cards on this crucial election which is seen as a test of the Opposition's unity. According to sources on both sides, the 17 members from these three parties will be deciding factor in electing the next deputy chairman.
After a visit to the LNJP hospital to see the health condition of Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, Samajwadi Party MP Ramgopal Yadav said, "I would urge PM Modi and LG Baijal to hold talks with the Delhi CM."
In response CM said, Delhi is grateful to Akhilesh ji and Ram Gopal Yadav ji for raising the voice in favour of democracy and standing by the people of Delhi."