NDA likely to get majority in Rajya Sabha by 2021

Pic/PTI

The BJP-led NDA, which currently has 99 Rajya Sabha members, is likely to get a majority in the Upper House of Parliament by the end of 2021, making it easier for the ruling alliance to carry out its legislative agenda.

After securing a thumping majority in the Lok Sabha polls with victory in 303 seats, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking at a rise in its numbers in the Rajya Sabha in the months ahead as it is all set to win most of the seats in states like Uttar Pradesh.

Assembly polls are due in some states like Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand later this year and the BJP's show in the Rajya Sabha polls, slated for 2020, will depend on its numbers garnered in these state elections.

BJP's floor managers in the Upper House are confident of putting up a good show in the Assembly polls, going by the party's huge victory in the Lok Sabha polls in these states and are confident of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) crossing the majority mark of 124 in the Rajya Sabha.

The saffron party is currently in power in Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand.

As many as 10 Rajya Sabha seats will fall vacant in Uttar Pradesh in 2020 and the BJP's huge majority in the state means it can win nine of those.

If the number of seats its allies like the JD(U) in Bihar, the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu and the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra is added, the ruling alliance may cross the majority mark of 124 seats in 2021.

Many non-NDA, non-UPA parties like the BJD, the TRS and the YSRCP have supported the ruling dispensation on several crucial bills.

The majority in the Upper House will be a big boost for the Narendra Modi-led government as its contentious bills to abolish "triple talaq" and amend the Citizenship Act got stuck in the Rajya Sabha.

Manmohan Singh is currently a member from Assam, but Congress cannot retain his seat from the state in the upcoming polls for Rajya Sabha on June 7. This is because Congress does not have the required number in the state assembly.

Congress will get a chance to send Deve Gowda or Manmohan Singh to the upper house only next year.

Top News Stories Of The Day

• Mumbai doctor's suicide: The last hours that broke Payal's spirit
• Mumbai doctor's suicide: Accused trio made Payal cry all morning on May 22
• Denying role, accused trio blame workload for Mumbai doctor's suicide
• Mumbai doctor's suicide: Dean replaces unit head of gynaecology abruptly
• Murder and suicide after man forgets to delete ex-girlfriend's photos from phone
• Mumbai: Cops ensure runaway teen gets enrolled in acting school in Andheri
• Mumbai Crime: Extortionist who threatened Powai hotelier arrested
• Mumbai: Cotton ball removed from woman's private parts after 25 days
• Mumbai Crime: Casting director arrested for blackmailing 27-year-old model in Oshiwara
• Clearances done! Work on Bandra Reclamation-Worli Sea Link connector to start soon
• Won't move out of Aarey Colony, say tribals
• Mumbai: Dharavi debris removed, parked vehicles cleared by BMC
• Try these summer teas which will keep you hydrated
• Dr. Payal Tadvi's case 'castes' shadow over city campus
• Amid LS festivity, CM begins Assembly prep
• All you need to know about Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
• Student community demands justice for 'institutional murder' of Mumbai doctor
• Piyush Goyal, Vinod Kumar Yadav rap CR GM for not updating Rail Drishti data
• Uncle and aunt thrash pregnant woman to death over an egg cart
• Afroz Shah, Dia Mirza clean up beach in Mumbai
• Vintage Mumbai: 40 classic photos you may have never seen
• Mayawati, Kajol, Maneka Gandhi: Do you know these celebrities' educational qualifications?
• This yoga couple will give you serious relationship and fitness goals

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

Edited by mid-day online desk with inputs from Agencies