BJP's Rajya Sabha Strength Drops Below Margin

On Saturday the BJP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha decreased by four as nominated members Rakesh Sinha, Ram Shakal, Sonal Mansingh and Mahesh Jethmalani completed their terms. 

Initially non-aligned they were appointed by President Droupadi Murmu on the ruling party’s advice and later supported Prime Minister Modi's government.

Their exit lowers the BJP’s count to 86 and the NDA’s to 101, below the 113 majority mark in the 245-member House. 

The Rajya Sabha now has 225 members. The Congress-led INDIA bloc holds 87 seats, with Congress, Trinamool, AAP, and DMK among its members. Other parties and independents occupy the remaining seats.

With the reduced numbers the BJP needs support from non NDA parties like AIADMK and YSRCP to pass bills until the four nominated seats and 11 vacant ones are filled. 

The BJP is expected to win at least eight of these. The YSRCP with its votes has previously supported the BJP and is likely to do so again. 

There are 20 vacant seats overall and the BJP led alliance could win up to nine additional seats securing a majority.