No absence of solidarity in Opposition, says Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi/Patna, August 9 United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said that the defeat in the election to the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman post ought not be seen as lack of solidarity in the Opposition.

She stated, "Now and then we win and in some cases we lose." When media reporters asked whether the Opposition unity was falling apart, Gandhi said, "No...why?"

The reaction of the former Congress president came a few hours after National Democratic Alliance (NDA) hopeful Harivansh Narayan Singh was declared as the new Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Harivansh Narayan Singh surveyed 125 votes out of 332 while Congress applicant BK Hariprasad stowed 105 votes as it were. Two individuals from the Aam Aadmi Party went without voting.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar congratulated Singh for being chosen as the new Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman.

"I congratulate Harivansh Narayan Singh for being chosen as the new Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman," Nitish  Kumar tweeted.

Not long after Harivansh Narayan Singh was declared as the victor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and different members from the House walked up to him and congratulated.