New Delhi: BJP president Amit Shah will be seated in the front row of the Rajya Sabha as he makes his parliamentary debut with the winter session on Friday.
Shah and I&B minister Smriti Irani were elected to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat in August. The winter session was delayed due to the assembly polls in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, an issue the opposition cried foul over.
Shah will be seated in the front row along with PM Modi and the leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley. The BJP chief will occupy the seat held earlier by M Venkaiah Naidu, who, as Vice-President, will chair the House.
He retained his position as an MLA from Gujarat until his election to the Rajya Sabha three years after the party’s sweep in the Lok Sabha elections. Shah’s parliamentary debut reaffirms his elevation in the party hierarchy as the virtual number two and his presence in the House is likely to ensure the attendance of party members. At parliamentary party meets, Modi and Shah have repeatedly asked lawmakers to be present in full strength.
The opposition will be weakened with the absence of several vocal members, with BSP supremo Mayawati, expelled JD (U) member Sharad Yadav and CPM’s Sitaram Yechury making an exit. Source : timesofindia