Rajya Sabha Election Live: Biennial elections are being held today for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states, including Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana. Voting for these seats, along with the counting of votes, will also take place today.
These elections are being held due to the expiry of the terms of several members in April. The results of these elections could provide an opportunity for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to further strengthen its position in the Rajya Sabha, where it already has the support of over 130 seats, including nominated members. Meanwhile, the opposition INDIA alliance may face the challenge of losing seats in some of its strong states.
The Rajya Sabha is considered a permanent house of Parliament because it is never dissolved. While the Lok Sabha has a five-year term and can be dissolved if necessary, the Rajya Sabha operates continuously. Each member of the Rajya Sabha has a six-year term, but not all members assume office or retire simultaneously. According to the system, approximately one-third of the members complete their term and retire every two years. Elections are held for new seats in their place. This process ensures that the house maintains the presence of experienced members and its functioning continues without interruption.
From a political perspective, these Rajya Sabha elections are considered quite important because the assembly equations differ in various states. The position of the BJP and its allies is considered strong in Maharashtra, while the DMK-led alliance is influential in Tamil Nadu. In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee’s TMC party is expected to gain an advantage due to its majority in the assembly.
Furthermore, a tough contest can be expected between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. Following a recently held Iftar party, AIMIM has announced its support for the RJD candidate. Party leader Akhtarul Iman provided this information.
