Sat Sep 07 06:54:50 UTC 2024: ## BJP Holds Slender Majority in Rajya Sabha, Securing Key Legislation Passage
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) currently holds a narrow majority in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India’s Parliament. This majority is secured with the support of six nominated members, giving the NDA the ability to pass key legislation, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
The Rajya Sabha currently has an effective strength of 234 members, with the BJP holding 96 seats. The NDA alliance boasts 113 members, which, combined with the votes of the six nominated members, brings their total to 119, exceeding the halfway mark of 117.
The opposition, led by the Congress with 27 members, has 85 members in total, including allies. Key fence-sitters in the Rajya Sabha include the YSR Congress Party with nine members and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) with seven members.
There are currently 11 vacancies in the Rajya Sabha, including four seats from Jammu and Kashmir due to the lack of a legislative assembly. This reduces the total effective strength of the house to 241.
Recent by-elections are expected to further solidify the BJP’s position, with the BJD member who recently joined the BJP likely to win his seat in Odisha. Additionally, two YSRCP members who resigned from the Rajya Sabha are expected to join the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a BJP ally.
This slight majority allows the BJP-led NDA to push through important legislation, demonstrating their continued political influence within the Indian government.
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