The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seen its strength in the Rajya Sabha decrease to 86 seats after the completion of the term for four of its members on July 13. This marks the first decline in several years for the party in the upper house of Parliament.
Departure of Four Members
The four members who completed their term are:
- Sonal Mansingh
- Mahesh Jethmalani
- Rakesh Sinha
- Ram Shakal
These members were nominated by President Droupadi Murmu on the advice of the ruling party and had formally allied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Impact on BJP and NDA Strength in Rajya Sabha
With the exit of these members, the BJP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha has dropped to 86 seats. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) now holds 101 seats, falling short of the current majority mark of 113 in the 245-member House.
Upcoming Elections and Strategy for Rajya sabha elections
Despite the recent decrease in seats, the BJP-led NDA is optimistic about securing additional seats in upcoming elections. The alliance expects to win:
- Two seats each in Bihar, Maharashtra, and Assam
- One seat each in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tripura
The NDA plans to leverage its numerical advantage over the opposition in these regions. Additionally, four newly nominated members are anticipated to align with the treasury benches once appointed by the government. Although nominated members are typically independent in terms of party affiliation, they traditionally support the government’s agenda.
Current Vacancies and Opposition Strategy
There are currently 19 vacancies in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress party is aiming to win the lone seat in Telangana at the expense of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). However, this gain is expected to be offset in Rajasthan, where the BJP, holding a strong majority, will likely secure the seat vacated by K C Venugopal, a senior Congress member who recently won the Lok Sabha poll from Alappuzha in Kerala.
The BJP is also confident about winning the solitary seat in Haryana, filling the vacancy caused by the election of its Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Singh Hooda to the Lok Sabha. The Congress hopes to capitalize on potential support from independent MLAs or those affiliated with regional parties who may switch sides ahead of the assembly polls expected in October.
Election Commission and Future Plans
The Election Commission (EC) has yet to announce the date for elections to fill the 11 vacancies created by the resignation of members, 10 of whom were elected to the Lok Sabha and one, K Keshava Rao of the BRS, who quit after joining the Congress.
Out of the 19 vacancies, four are from Jammu and Kashmir, where there is no current assembly following the reorganization of the state into a Union Territory in 2019.
Conclusion
The BJP’s recent decline in Rajya Sabha strength presents both challenges and opportunities for the party and its allies. As they strategize to secure additional seats in upcoming elections, the shifting dynamics in the upper house will continue to play a crucial role in India’s legislative process.
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