First of all, let’s talk about the elections to be held on 24 seats of Rajya Sabha. This year, the process of election of Rajya Sabha candidates on 72 seats is going on. Along with the Rajya Sabha elections, notification has also been issued for the Legislative Council elections in Bihar and Maharashtra, where there is a competition among the ruling party i.e. NDA constituents to get the Legislative Council seats.
These elections have not only changed the picture of Rajya Sabha, but have also intensified the internal tussle within the NDA regarding seat distribution and political sharing. In view of the upcoming assembly elections, all parties are seeing these elections as a show of political strength. Most of the discussion is about Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Elections are to be held on 9 Legislative Council seats in Bihar, while by-election will be held on one seat.
Talks going on between BJP and JDU in Bihar
The by-election seat in Bihar has become vacant due to the resignation of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and it is considered certain that this seat will go to JDU’s account. But continuous talks are going on between BJP and JDU regarding the distribution of remaining seats. Earlier it was believed that BJP and JDU would contest elections on equal number of seats, but now the discussion is that BJP wants to keep more seats for itself. According to sources, BJP is claiming four seats, while JDU is expected to get two seats. Brainstorming is going on between the two parties regarding this.
JDU wants to decide the names of the candidates keeping in mind its social equation. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar has become a minister, hence he has to be sent to the Legislative Council. It is certain that NDA ally Upendra Kushwaha’s son will also be given a Legislative Council. Meanwhile, another NDA ally, Jitan Ram Manjhi, also wants a Legislative Council seat for his own party. In this regard, Manjhi met the Bihar State President of BJP and is continuously trying to send the message to Delhi.
Struggle over seat sharing in Maharashtra
Before the elections to be held on 16 seats of Maharashtra Legislative Council and by-election on one seat, there is a tussle going on within the Mahayuti regarding seat sharing. There have been discussions on this matter even at the central level, but no satisfactory formula has emerged so far. Two days ago, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had a separate meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah.
According to the information received, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is adamant on the demand of 5 seats for his Shiv Sena but BJP is not ready. Sunetra Pawar led NCP wants 3 seats while BJP wants to give 1 seat. An expert on the matter says that if the NDA constituents prepare to contest elections on 14 to 15 seats instead of 12 seats, then the mutual tension regarding the Legislative Council can be resolved.
Discussions are intense in the Ajit Pawar camp regarding the Rajya Sabha seat vacant due to the resignation of Sunetra Pawar in Maharashtra. The question is being raised in political circles whether any other member from the Pawar family will be sent to Rajya Sabha.
Elections on four seats in Karnataka
Elections are to be held on four Rajya Sabha seats in Karnataka. According to the numerical strength in the assembly, it is almost certain that Congress will get three seats and BJP will get one seat. The challenge before BJP is no less in Karnataka. The party has to decide whether to keep its only possible seat for itself or give it to ally JDS. The tenure of JDS founder and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda is coming to an end and the party wants him to be sent to the Rajya Sabha again.
In such a situation, BJP faces the challenge of maintaining a balance between maintaining the dharma of cooperation and its organizational interests. These elections of Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council are not limited to just the seats of the House. This is also a fight to show political strength and decide the stake among the allies before the upcoming assembly elections.
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