Prasanna Acharya a contender for RS deputy chairman post?

Bhubaneswar: Speculation is rife that senior leader of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya might be elevated to the post of Deputy Chairman following the end of PJ Kurien's term this month.

Given the recent turnout of events post Karnataka elections, major opposition parties are now joining hands to keep BJP out of power.

Sources said the election for Rajya Sabha deputy chairman post is likely to be held in the upcoming monsoon session of the Parliament.

Political experts believe that BJD holds the key during the poll as it has a strength of nine MPs in the Upper House.

When contacted, Prasanna Acharya rubbished such speculations by saying that no decision on the Rajya Sabha deputy chairman election has been taken yet.

"Such reports have come in media and nothing has come to my knowledge yet. But all such are policy decisions and party will take appropriate decision," said Acharya.

Acharya further informed that BJD supremo and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik will take a final call as so far, there has been no change in party's stand to maintain equi-distance from the BJP and the Congress.

Apart from Prasanna Acharya, the name of Trinamool Congress (TMC) Sukhendu Ray is also doing rounds for the coveted post.