 "The NDA clings to a slim Rajya Sabha majority, leveraging key defections to advance crucial legislation amid a shifting political landscape.")
The BJP-led NDA holds a slim majority in the Rajya Sabha, bolstered by six nominated members, allowing for crucial support on key legislation like the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. With recent by-elections, the Upper House now has an effective strength of 234, with the NDA comprising 119 members, surpassing the halfway mark of 117. Meanwhile, the Congress and its allies total 85 members, creating a divided landscape. The BJD and YSR Congress Party, with members who have recently switched allegiances, are key players in this political scenario. Vacancies, including four from Jammu and Kashmir, further complicate the dynamics in the Rajya Sabha as the BJP seeks to solidify its legislative agenda.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is celebrating a narrow majority in the Rajya Sabha, thanks in part to the support of six nominated members. This majority is crucial for pushing forward significant legislation, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Following recent by-elections, the effective strength of the Upper House now stands at 234 members. The BJP has secured 96 seats, while the overall NDA strength has increased to 119, just above the halfway mark of 117.
In contrast, the opposition, led by the Congress party with 27 members, has a total of 85 seats when including its allies. Key players among the undecided are the YSR Congress Party with nine members and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) holding seven seats.
A notable point is that four seats from Jammu and Kashmir remain vacant, as the Union Territory awaits its first legislative assembly. This situation contributes to a total of 11 vacancies in the Upper House, which includes four from Andhra Pradesh and another four nominated positions.
Recent developments have seen two YSRCP members and one BJD member resign from the Rajya Sabha, with the former potentially joining the Telugu Desam Party, a known ally of the BJP. The ongoing shifts in the Upper House showcase the evolving political landscape as the NDA seeks to strengthen its legislative agenda.
Tags: NDA, Rajya Sabha, BJP, Congress, Waqf Bill, Indian Politics, Legislative Updates, Jammu and Kashmir.
What does NDA stand for?
NDA stands for the National Democratic Alliance, which is a coalition of political parties in India.
Why is the NDA’s majority in Rajya Sabha important?
Having a majority in Rajya Sabha allows the NDA to pass laws and make decisions more easily, as they have more support in the upper house of Parliament.
What does it mean to have a “slender majority”?
A “slender majority” means that the NDA has just enough members to have more votes than the opposition, but not by a large margin. This makes their position weaker.
How many members are nominated to Rajya Sabha?
In Rajya Sabha, the President of India can nominate up to 12 members who have special knowledge or experience in fields like literature, science, art, and social service.
What challenges does the NDA face in Rajya Sabha?
The NDA may face challenges if opposition parties unite against them or if they need more votes for passing important bills, as their majority is not very strong.
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