With Monday’s unopposed election of its eight members from Uttar Pradesh and one from Uttarakhand to the Rajya Sabha, the strength of the BJP, which is already the largest party in the Upper House, now stands at 92, though it is still way short of the majority mark of 123.
The Samajwadi Party’s Ramgopal Yadav and the Bahujan Samaj Party’s Ramji Gautam won from Uttar Pradesh. The Congress lost one seat from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand with the retirement of senior leaders P.L. Punia and Raj Babbar. The elected BJP members include Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
The Opposition has been steadily losing ground in the Rajya Sabha. In its first defeat, in July 2019, the Opposition lost the vote on the controversial Muslim Women (Protection of Rights of Marriage) Bill, 2019, this despite key NDA allies, the Janata Dal (United) and the AIADMK, opposing the Bill. The Jammu and Kashmir Re-organisation Bill on August 5 last year was cleared without any trouble.
Congress down to 38
The Congress is now down to 38, its lowest-ever tally, though it remains the second largest party in the House with Ghulam Nabi Azad holding the post of the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Azad too is up for retirement in February next when all the four seats from Jammu and Kashmir fall vacant.
Congress chief whip in the House Jairam Ramesh said that despite its shrunken capacity, the Congress would continue to do its work as the principal Opposition party. “The numbers make little difference to fulfilling our ‘dharma’,” he added.
The second largest Opposition party, the Trinamool Congress, will continue to hold on to its numbers at least till April 2021 when West Bengal goes to the polls. “Rajya Sabha numbers are the last thing on our mind. The only numbers matter to us is 2021 Bengal numbers,” party floor leader Derek O’ Brien said. The BJP’s increased strength in the House would not make a difference. “Maybe now they can stop buying and probably start leasing out,” he added.
The Samajwadi Party, which so far had eight members, will now be reduced to five.
