New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated JD-U's Harivansh Narayan Singh, the joint ruling NDA candidate, on being elected the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.

"I congratulate Harivanshji on being elected the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha," Modi said in the upper House, describing the journalist-MP as a "well read" person who "has written a lot". "He has served society for years," Modi said. "I also want to congratulate B.K. Hariprasad (opposition candidate) for being a part of the election." Janata Dal-United member Narayan Singh defeated Hariprasad of the Congress by 20 votes in the election for the post.