NEW DELHI, June 17 (UNI) Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today administered the oath as member to Digvijay Singh of the Janata Dal (United) elected to the House from Jharkhand through a byelection on June 3.
The byelection was necessitated due to Stephen Marandi vacating the seat after he rebelled from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and got elected as an Independent from the Dumka Assembly seat in elections held earlier this year.
For Digvijay Singh this is his second stint in the Rajya Sabha- having served a full term from 1990 to 1996.
His present term will run up to July 7, 2010.
Digvijay Singh has also been member of the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha and has held important portfolios as Minister of State for External Affairs (July 1, 2002 to February 6, 2004), Minister of State for Railways (September 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002 and October 13, 1999 to July 21, 2001) and Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (July 22, 2001 to August 31, 2001).
He was also Deputy Minister Finance and External Affairs during 1990-91.
UNI DG VA GS1406
