Hat-trick of BJP wins will bolster NDA strength in Rajya Sabha
Synopsis
Assembly election results are expected to strengthen the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Rajya Sabha early next year. This is because 19 seats in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Maharashtra will become vacant in April. These states have experienced significant changes in political dynamics over the past few months. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which already holds a majority in the Upper House, is likely to increase its numbers. This will enable the NDA to successfully pass important legislation, including constitutional amendments.
BRS will be a big loser in the Upper House as BL Yadav, J Santosh Kumar and R Vaddiraju from the party will complete their term and the party will get only one seat in April elections. Congress will gain the other two seats.
Also, four seats will fall vacant from Karnataka where Congress formed the government in May this year. GC Chandrasekhar, L Hanumanthaiah, Syed Nasir Hussain from the Congress and union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar will complete their term. The numbers from Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha may also be altered in the wake of the breakaway NCP and Shiv Sena forming the government with BJP in the state.
The NDA is likely to bolster its representation from Maharashtra in the Upper House. In the House of 245 members where 123 is the halfway mark, BJP has 94 members, and will get issue based support from BJD and YSRCP. The changed circumstances may also bring BRS (though its strength will be reduced) also on NDA's side. An increase in the strength of the NDA will facilitate the passage of some contentious Bills in the coming months.
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