New Delhi: The BJP’s representation in the Rajya Sabha has decreased to 86 seats following the retirement of four nominated members on Saturday. Consequently, the strength of the NDA in the Upper House has fallen to 101, which is below the current majority mark of 113 in the 245-member House, according to multiple reports.
With the Rajya Sabha’s current strength at 225 members, the NDA still has the potential to pass key legislation during the upcoming budget session. This would require the support of seven non-aligned nominated members, two independents, and friendly parties.
The Congress-led INDIA bloc holds 87 seats in the Upper House. Of these, the Congress occupies 26 seats, Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress holds 13, and both the Aam Aadmi Party and the DMK, in power in Delhi and Tamil Nadu respectively, have 10 seats each.
Other parties, including those not aligned with either the BJP or the Congress, such as ex-Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s BRS, as well as nominated MPs and independents, hold the remaining seats.
The four nominated members who retired on Saturday are Rakesh Sinha, Ram Shakal, Sonal Mansingh, and Mahesh Jethmalani.
