AsvNitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) broke ties with the BJP in Bihar, the National Democratic Alliance(NDA), had to suffer a small drawback in Rajya Sabha. The Janata Dal (JD), has five MPs including the Deputy Chairperson Harivansh in Rajya Sabha.
The NDA had no majority in the upper house even then the JD(U) was part of it. Mr Kumar’s JD(U) is the third party to leave the NDA in the last three years. Earlier, the Shiv Sena and the Shiromani Akali Dal quit the NDA. The Telugu Desam Party, or TDP, left before the general elections in 2019.
If we see the current strength of Rajya Sabha is 237. Now there are eight vacancies, four from Jammu and Kashmir, one from Tripura and three to be nominated. Hence, the majority mark is 119.
The NDA’s current strength in Rajya Sabha is 115, including five nominated MPs and one independent. After the JD(U) left the scene, the NDA’s number was reduced to 110.
The government can nominate three more MPs before the winter session and chances are that BJP will win the Tripura seat; as election takes place. Even then, the NDA’s strength will be 114, which will still be short of the new halfway mark of 121. The BJP will need the support of BJD and YSRCP, which has nine MPs each – on crucial bills.
Today at 2 pm, Mr Nitish Kumar will take oath as Chief Minister of Bihar. Tejashwi Yadav from Rashtriya Janata Dal will be the Chief Minister’s deputy in the new Grand Alliance.
