Celebration time for BJP as party MPs in the Rajya Sabha touch the 100-mark for the first time
It’s again time to celebrate for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The saffron behemoth of the Indian political arena has consolidated its position for more years of the future with masterstrokes made on the highly sensitive electoral scenario. Now, the BJP has scored major points to launch itself into celebration mode, by having 100 members in the Rajya Sabha.
This feat is by all standard unique for the BJP. For, this is the first time in the party’s history that it has been able to raise the number of its MPs in the Rajya Sabha to the 100-mark. The party achieved the remarkable score by winning one seat each in Assam, Tripura and Nagaland in the RS elections held on Thursday.
North East holds BJP close in Rajya Sabha polls
The party which went into the Rajya Sabha poll scene for 13 seats across six states garnered much success. Though it lost its sole seat from Punjab, the party was able to win one each in the three North Eastern states of Assam, Tripura and Nagaland. It also won one in Himachal Pradesh. Significantly, the Himachal Pradesh scenario was such that all five outgoing members were from Opposition parties.
The BJP’s 100 mark could be short of majority in the Upper House that has 245 members. But, the way the party has ensured its rise has been phenomenal. In 2014, when the party came to power at the Centre with a majority in the Lok Sabha, the BJP’s strength in Rajya Sabha was just 55. And in the ensuing years, it has consolidated its presence in the Rajya Sabha.
The BJP could now be looking closely at Uttar Pradesh, there would arise a vacancy of 11 Rajya Sabha seats. The party would look to win all but is likely to post victories in at least eight. That would make it stronger in the Upper House of Parliament, indeed. However, if one looks at the national scenario, polls to the Rajya Sabha seats are expected soon in at least 52 of them. These being mostly in states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Jharkhand could make things tough for the saffron outfit as assured wins cannot be predicted in these states. If the losses outweigh the wins in these states, it could come as a setback. The party, as we know it, wouldn’t take it lightly and is sure to work towards possible wins.
Advantage BJP as V-P polls come up
Meanwhile, the BJP’s 100-seats mark in the Rajya Sabha needs to be seen as an advantage it would give the party much power in time for the Vice-Presidential polls, scheduled for August. The numbers are on BJP’s side in the Lok Sabha.
While the BJP has numbers on its side in the Lok Sabha, the party would want the same in the Rajya Sabha too. We need to believe that the Bharatiya Janata Party is working towards exactly that.