BJP’s Rajya Sabha Tally Dips, NDA Inches Closer to Majority Mark

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has witnessed a decline in its strength in the Rajya Sabha, dropping to 86 seats after four MPs completed their terms on July 13. This marks the first such decline in several years. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, now holds a total of 101 seats in the upper house, falling short of the current majority mark of 113 in the 245-member House.

Key Points:

1. Unopposed Wins: Even before the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-elections for 12 seats across 9 states, the ruling NDA alliance secured nine seats unopposed. Notable winners include Upendra Kushwaha and Manan Kumar Mishra from Bihar, Ravneet Singh Bittu from Rajasthan, Kiran Chaudhary from Haryana, and George Kurien from Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, BJP candidates clinched both seats in Assam.
2. NDA Strength: With these victories, the BJP’s tally in the Rajya Sabha stands at 96, while the NDA’s overall count has reached 112. The alliance also enjoys the support of six nominated members and one independent member.
3. Vacancies and Majority Figure: Out of the total 245 seats, eight are currently vacant. Four of these are reserved for Jammu and Kashmir, and the remaining four are for nominated members. The current Rajya Sabha membership stands at 237, making the majority figure 119. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a Congress candidate, secured an unopposed victory from Telangana.
4. Replacing Vacant Seats: Following the election of Lok Sabha MPs Misa Bharti and Vivek Thakur from Bihar, their Rajya Sabha seats were vacant. Upendra Kushwaha and Manan Kumar Mishra will now assume responsibility until their respective tenures expire (Bharti’s tenure until July 2028 and Thakur’s until April 2026).
5. Nomination Process: The nomination process for filling vacant seats began on August 14, with the last date for filing nominations set for August 21. Candidates could withdraw their names until August 27.
6. NDA’s Pursuit of Majority: The NDA alliance has long aimed to touch the majority figure in the Rajya Sabha, facilitating the smooth passage of crucial bills. With this recent development, they are now within striking distance of achieving that goal.

BJP-led NDA’s strategic wins and calculated moves have positioned them closer to the majority mark, setting the stage for significant legislative decisions in the upper house.