New Delhi, April 16 -- The INDIA Bloc parties have decided to boycott the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman elections scheduled for April 17, according to sources.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday accused the Bhartiya Janata Party of bypassing the important consultations with the opposition. He also noted that this marks the first time that someone nominated by the President to be a member of the Rajya Sabha is also being considered for the post of Deputy Chairman.

"First, the Modi Government has not appointed a Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha for 7 years. This has never happened before. Second, the Deputy Speaker's counterpart in the Rajya Sabha is the Deputy Chairman. Harivansh's second term ended on April 9th. A day later, he was nomi...