Harivansh Narayan Singh Takes Oath as Nominated Rajya Sabha Member
In a significant parliamentary development, outgoing Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh was sworn in as a member of the Upper House on Friday. This follows his nomination by President Droupadi Murmu to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.
Constitutional Nomination Marks Third Term
Harivansh's second term in the Rajya Sabha concluded on April 9, 2024. Having previously served two terms as a JD(U) representative from Bihar, he now enters his third term through nomination under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution of India. This constitutional provision allows the President to nominate members with special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service.
The government notification formally announced: "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of article 80 of the Constitution of India, read with clause (3) of that article, the President is pleased to nominate Shri Harivansh to the Council of States to fill the vacancy caused due to retirement of one of the nominated member."
Oath Ceremony Attended by Senior Leaders
The swearing-in ceremony took place in the chamber of Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan, who administered the oath in Hindi. The event witnessed the presence of several prominent political figures:
- Leader of the House J P Nadda
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
- Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal
- Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ram Nath Thakur
Prime Minister Modi Extends Congratulations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the veteran journalist-turned-politician, praising his substantial contributions to public life and parliamentary proceedings. In a social media post, Modi stated: "Harivansh Ji has made invaluable contributions to journalism and public life. He is a respected intellectual and thinker. Through his deep insights and perspectives, he has enriched the proceedings of the House over the past few years. I am pleased that the President has nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. My heartfelt best wishes to him for the upcoming parliamentary term."
Distinguished Parliamentary and Journalistic Career
Harivansh Narayan Singh brings extensive experience to his new term. He was first elected to the Rajya Sabha from Bihar in 2014 as a JD(U) candidate. His parliamentary leadership includes serving as the 13th Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, elected on August 9, 2018, and re-elected for a second term in September 2020.
Before his parliamentary career, Harivansh established himself as a respected journalist with decades of experience. He also served as additional media adviser to former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar from 1990 to 1991, demonstrating his long-standing connection to public service and governance.
This nomination represents a continuation of Harivansh's service to the nation through legislative participation, combining his journalistic background with political acumen to contribute to India's parliamentary democracy.
