Last week, the Rajya Sabha poll results set off political tremors across India. While the BJP chalked up two unexpected additional seats, the polls also exposed vulnerabilities for the Congress and Samajwadi Party.
Since his first term,
PM Modi has passed legislation through the Lok Sabha, where the NDA holds a majority. But it’s been a different story in the Rajya Sabha, where a determined Opposition stymied the government on issues like black money.
The ruling coalition has trodden carefully to get controversial bills through the Upper House, courting regional parties like the BJD and YSRCP for support. But the latest RS election results demonstrate the BJP’s steady consolidation of power nationally.
The polls saw 28 BJP MPs retire, with the party expected to recapture those seats. However, cross-voting by Congress MLAs in Himachal Pradesh and SP legislators in Uttar Pradesh gave the BJP two bonus seats. This takes the party’s tally to 97 and the NDA’s strength to 117 in the 240-member House. Just four short of a majority.
While the BJP remains the largest party, the polls were a setback for the Congress and SP. The Congress lost Himachal Pradesh MLAs, underscoring growing discontent in the ranks. The SP fared worse, losing its chief whip and 7 legislators in UP.
For the BJP, the results trim the Opposition’s ability to obstruct legislation in the Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, the Congress and SP face an internal crisis of confidence. With further political maneuvering, the NDA may soon gain the Upper House majority that has eluded it since 2014.
