BJP has announced its list of candidates for the by-elections to 9 Rajya Sabha seats across 8 states. Central Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu will be the BJP candidate from Rajasthan. Manan Kumar Mishra from Bihar, Kiran Chaudhary from Haryana, Central Minister George Kurian from Madhya Pradesh, Dhairyasheel Patil from Maharashtra, Mamta Mohanta from Odisha, and Rajeev Bhattacharjee from Tripura have been nominated by the party.
It is noteworthy that Upendra Kushwaha is likely to be sent to the Rajya Sabha from the NDA. According to sources in the National Democratic Alliance, Upendra Kushwaha will file his nomination on August 21 at 11 AM. August 21 is the last day for filing nominations. The NDA's move to send Upendra Kushwaha to the Rajya Sabha indicates an attempt to consolidate before the Bihar elections.
Party Strength in Different States:
Assam:
The assembly has a total of 126 seats. BJP holds 60 seats and has a majority government. With elections being held for two Rajya Sabha seats, it is anticipated that BJP will win both seats easily.
Bihar:
The assembly has 243 seats. In the ruling NDA, BJP has 78 MLAs, JDU has 44, and HAM has 3 MLAs. The INDIA bloc's RJD has 77 MLAs, Congress has 19, and CPI has 15 MLAs. Additionally, AIMIM has 1, and there are two independent MLAs. Four seats are vacant, on which by-elections are to be held. There is a 14-seat difference between the two alliance parties, and cross-voting can alter the equations.
Madhya Pradesh:
The assembly has 230 seats. BJP has 163 seats, Congress has 66, and others have 1 seat. BJP's candidate is almost certain to win here as well.
Maharashtra:
The assembly has 288 seats. The ruling NDA has 211 MLAs. BJP holds 103 seats, NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) has 40, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) has 38, and there is support from independents. In the MVA, Congress has 37, Shiv Sena (UBT) has 15, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) has 12 members. Other parties include Bahujan Vikas Aghadi with three members, Samajwadi Party with two, AIMIM with two, Prahar Janshakti Party with two, PWP with one, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha with one, CPI(M) with one, Krantikari Shetkari Party with one, Jansurajya Shakti with one, and 13 independents. The two vacant Rajya Sabha seats here are BJP's, and both seats are likely to go to BJP.
Rajasthan:
The assembly has a total of 200 seats. BJP, the ruling party, has 114 MLAs, Congress has 66, and there are a few members from smaller parties and independents. Six seats are vacant, where by-elections will be held. Considering the numbers, BJP has a good chance of winning in Rajasthan as well.
Haryana:
The state has 90 assembly seats. The ruling BJP has 41 MLAs and one HLP MLA. Five independents have joined the BJP. Among the opposition, Congress has 29 MLAs, JJP has 10, and INLD has one MLA. JJP is not part of any alliance. Three seats are vacant, where by-elections will be held. BJP has an advantage in the elections, but cross-voting cannot be ruled out, which could benefit Congress.
Tripura:
The state has a total of 60 assembly seats, with BJP holding 32 seats. Congress and the Left Alliance secured only 14 seats. TIPRA Motha Party has 13 MLAs. Given the numbers, BJP is likely to win the Rajya Sabha seat here.
Telangana:
The assembly has 119 seats. The ruling Congress has 65 MLAs, BRS has 38, and BJP has 8 MLAs. AIMIM has 7 and CPI has 1 MLA. The numbers favor Congress in the state.
Odisha:
The assembly has 147 seats. The ruling party BJD has 78 MLAs, BJP has 51 MLAs, Congress has 14, the Left Front has 1, and there are 3 independents. BJP has a considerable edge here.
