Bhubaneswar, Sep 14 (TIWN) Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced his party's support to NDA candidate Harivansh Narayan Singh for the post of Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

The announcement came after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar again called up his Odisha counterpart on Monday seeking support for Janata Dal (United) leader Harivansh during the elections to the post, slated for later in the day.

On September 10, Nitish Kumar had spoken to Patnaik over telephone on the issue.

Notably, the BJD had supported Harivansh in the 2018 election as well. The post fell vacant when Harivansh Narayan Singh’s term in the Rajya Sabha ended. He has since been re-elected to the Upper House from Bihar.