The NDA has further strengthened its position in the Rajya Sabha following the latest round of elections. Although the ruling alliance is still short of the two-thirds majority mark, recent results have significantly boosted its numbers and brought it closer to a key milestone.
NDA's strength rises in the Rajya Sabha
Elections were recently held for 27 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states. Out of the first 24 seats decided unopposed, 19 were won by NDA candidates. With the victory of Parimal Nathwani from Jharkhand, the number of newly elected NDA MPs rose to 20.
As a result, the NDA's overall strength in the Rajya Sabha has now reached 152 members. The BJP remains the largest party within the alliance.
How can the NDA move closer to a two-thirds majority?
The NDA currently needs 11 more seats to reach the two-thirds majority mark in the Upper House.
Political discussions have intensified after four Rajya Sabha MPs from the Trinamool Congress resigned. The MPs include Sushmita Dev, Prakash Barik, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Koyal Malik. Following the recent West Bengal Assembly elections, there is speculation that the BJP could perform strongly in the bypolls for these seats.
There are also reports that more resignations could take place in the coming months, which may further alter the numbers.
Role of BJD and YSRCP
Apart from the NDA and the opposition bloc, regional parties such as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) hold a combined 12 seats in the Rajya Sabha.
Although neither party is formally part of the NDA, both have supported the ruling alliance on several occasions in the past. However, political equations, especially between the BJP and BJD, have changed after the Odisha Assembly elections.
Why is a two-thirds majority important?
A two-thirds majority is required to pass constitutional amendment bills in Parliament. If the NDA reaches that number in the Rajya Sabha, it could make the passage of key legislation easier.
There is speculation that the government may bring back the delimitation-related bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session, though no official announcement has been made so far.
Opposition numbers in the Rajya Sabha
The INDIA bloc currently has 64 members in the Rajya Sabha. However, the DMK, which has eight MPs, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), with three MPs, are no longer part of the grouping.
Meanwhile, there is speculation that some Trinamool Congress MPs in the Lok Sabha could form a separate group and extend support to the NDA. Reports have also suggested that some rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders could switch sides in the future.
For now, the latest Rajya Sabha elections have strengthened the NDA's position and brought the alliance a step closer to the two-thirds majority mark.
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