The Election Commission of India on Wednesday issued the notification for elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats, with polling and counting of votes scheduled for March 16. The term of 37 Rajya Sabha members is set to expire in April.
According to the Election Commission, the polls will take place across 10 states — Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar.
As the ruling BJP-led NDA is looking to secure a likely boost in its numbers in the Upper House, the Opposition INDIA bloc might see a decline in its Rajya Sabha tally.
The Rajya Sabha seats will fall vacant on April 2 and 9 following the retirement of several members. Important members of the Upper House who are set to retire include: Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh (JDU), NCP-SP MP Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), former Lok Sabha deputy Speaker M Thambidurai (AIADMK) and Union ministers Ram Nath Thakur (JDU) and Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A).
The seats that are set to go for polls are spread across Maharashtra (7), Odisha (4), Telangana (2), Tamil Nadu (6), Chhattisgarh (2 seats), West Bengal (5), Assam (3), Haryana (2), Himachal Pradesh (1) and Bihar (5).
According to reports, the BJP is set to win at least half of the 37 Rajya Sabha seats and is set to increase its strength in the Upper House. The saffron camo us currently in power or part of the ruling alliance in six of the 10 states where seats are falling vacant.
According to the Election Commission, the seats are spread across Maharashtra (7), Odisha (4), Telangana (2), Tamil Nadu (6), Chhattisgarh (2 seats), West Bengal (5), Assam (3), Haryana (2), Himachal Pradesh (1) and Bihar (5).
If we look at the number game, the BJP is expected to win around 15 to 18 seats in the Rajya Sabha. Currently, nine of its MPs are retiring next month. The BJP and its alliance partners (in Maharashtra, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Assam) will help the party gain numbers in the Upper House.
Meanwhile, in Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal, opposition parties are in power, which signifies that the Congress is likely to win four seats — one each in Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Haryana.
Notably, the Congress party will not gain any numbers in the Upper House as four of its MPs are retiring in April.
Source: Politics News in news18.com, Politics Latest News, Politics News
