After the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is back in power at the centre. In this case, the number of BJP MPs in the Rajya Sabha has reduced to 86.
In the last 2 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had consistently formed the government with a single majority. In this election too, the BJP had expressed confidence that it would get a huge majority, especially 400 seats. However, as expected, the BJP could not get a single majority. It means that if it has to take power in total 543 constituencies, it should have won in 272 constituencies.
But BJP won only 240 seats. BJP lost especially in the constituencies including Ayodhya where the Ram temple is located. This has drawn a lot of criticism within the party. On the other hand, it was at the mercy of the alliance that the BJP was forced to form the government. The BJP came to power for a third term with MPs from Nitish Kumar’s United Janata Dal in Bihar and Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh.
In this situation, the number of BJP MPs in the Rajya Sabha has dropped to 86. This decline is due to the expiry of the term of appointed MPs yesterday. At present the number of BJP MPs in the Rajya Sabha is 86 and the number of NDA MPs is 101. The total number of MPs is 245. Out of which 19 seats are currently vacant.
Hence the total strength of the Rajya Sabha has come down to 226. The support of 114 MPs is required to pass bills in the Rajya Sabha. However even now the BJP can pass bills in the Rajya Sabha with the support of 2 non-party nominated MPs, 2 independents, AIADMK and YSR Congress MPs.
On the other hand for Congress its strength in Rajya Sabha is 26. If India is taken as a total alliance, it is 87. There are 29 MPs who are not in the India Alliance but in the opposition ranks.
Apart from the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has the support of the two parties that lost the Assembly elections till now. In Andhra Pradesh, the Telugu Desam Party contested against YSR Congress President Jaganmohan Reddy. BJP was also in this alliance. If so, BJP is also responsible for Jaganmohan Reddy’s defeat. But in the Rajya Sabha, Jagan’s party MPs are in favor of the BJP.
Once again, the BJP has come to power in Odisha, smashing Naveen Patnaik’s winning empire. However, it is noteworthy that Naveen’s Rajya Sabha MPs are in favor of the BJP.
