The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is expected to lose a seat in the Rajya Sabha, while the Congress-led opposition could increase its tally in the upcoming biennial elections for 26 seats across 12 states. The Election Commission announced on Friday that polling for these seats will take place on June 18.
Seats Falling Vacant
The seats are becoming vacant due to the retirement of incumbent members between June 21 and July 19. Among those retiring are former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, and Union Ministers Ravneet Singh and George Kurian.
Elections will be conducted for four seats each in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka; three seats each in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan; two seats in Jharkhand; and one seat each in Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram. Additionally, bypolls for one seat each in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu will be held on the same day.
Current Seat Distribution
Of the 26 seats going to polls, the NDA currently holds 18, the Congress holds four, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) holds one, and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) holds three. Based on current assembly numbers, the NDA is projected to secure 17 seats, while the Congress may increase its tally to five. The JMM is likely to win two seats, and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is expected to bag one seat in Tamil Nadu, according to a PTI report.
The NDA currently has 149 MPs in the 244-member Rajya Sabha, while the opposition has 78 members, and non-aligned regional parties hold 17 seats. The last date for filing nominations is June 8.
Bypoll Details
The bypoll in Tamil Nadu was necessitated after AIADMK leader C. Ve. Shanmugam resigned following his election to the state assembly. Based on current numbers, the Vijay-led TVK is expected to win the seat. In Maharashtra, the bypoll is being held after NCP leader Sunetra Pawar resigned following her election to the state assembly. The NDA is expected to retain that seat.
State-wise Projections
- Karnataka: The Congress is projected to win three of the four seats, with the BJP likely to secure one.
- Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan: The BJP is expected to win two seats each, while the Congress may get one seat in both states.
- Andhra Pradesh: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is likely to sweep all four seats.
- Gujarat: The BJP is expected to win all four seats.
- Jharkhand: The JMM-Congress alliance is likely to secure both seats, though the BJP may attempt to win one through cross-voting support.
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