NDA Regains Rajya Sabha Edge after Falling Short of Majority in July: Here's How The Numbers Game Was Won

The Modi government 3.0 had one pressing concern — it was short of a majority in the Rajya Sabha. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance knows how important numbers in the Upper House are, given that in 2019, the opposition had blocked the land reform triple talaq bills in the Rajya Sabha. The Narendra Modi government could pass the Triple Talaq Bill only in its second stint — when it had friendly opposition parties like the BJD, YSRCP, BRS, and AIADMK on its side. But with an upset BJD, angry BRS, and AIADMK leaving the coalition, the NDA as late as in July was facing the problem of being short of a majority. But not anymore.

The Rajya Sabha has a maximum membership of 250, of which 238 are elected by the legislatures of the states and union territories, while the President can appoint 12 members. However, in its current numbers, and with the unopposed election of 12 new NDA members, the BJP-led coalition has once again touched the majority mark.

The Rajya Sabha has a total of 245 seats, but with eight current vacancies, four from Jammu and Kashmir and four nominated, the House’s current strength stands at 237. This brings down the majority mark to 119. The NDA just had 12 contenders win unopposed, with a fresh pack of BJP members like Kiran Choudhry from Haryana, Rameswar Teli from Assam, Manan Kumar Mishra from Bihar, George Kurien from Madhya Pradesh, Dhairyasheel Rajsinh Mohite-Patil from Maharashtra, Mamata Mohanta from Odisha, Ravneet Singh Bittu from Rajasthan, and Rajib Bhattacharjee from Tripura.

In the Rajya Sabha’s current situation, the NDA had to cross 119, but it has touched 121. Right now, apart from the BJP’s 96 members, the JD(U) has 4 and NCP 3. Allies SHS, PMK, AGP, UPPL, TMC-M, NPP, RPI-A, RML, RLD, and JD(S) have one Rajya Sabha lawmaker each. There are two independent and six nominated members who will vote for the NDA if the need arises.

In Modi government 3.0, many legislations will have to pass the Rajya Sabha test. The Waqf Bill, once it passes through the Joint Parliamentary Committee, the Banking Laws Amendment Bill, the Railways Amendment Bill, and the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill are some of the many important legislations that are pending. The NDA has enough numbers with the TDP and JD(U) in the Lok Sabha. Now, it also has a majority in the Upper House, provided all the BJP’s allies are on its side.