- Riding on recent victories in state elections, the NDA coalition is set to have a majority in Rajya Sabha
- This will make it possible for BJP to implement its thought process in letter and spirit, leaving the judgment of outcomes to common people, rather than those they did not willingly elect
- The principle of listening to varied opinions had been used by the opposition in Rajya Sabha to throttle voices, which will change
2022 assembly elections have been blissful for BJP. The saffron party has emerged as the most accepted party amongst the masses. But this victory holds more promise than just an electoral mandate. It will give BJP a full majority in Rajya Sabha along with many more other positives.
2022 is the year of elections. Basically, it’s a semi-final for the 2024 elections. It will set the tone for General elections. That is why it becomes crucial for any party to have a certain degree of authority in states as well as national assemblies.
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BJP has struggled due to not having a majority in Rajya Sabha
With recent victories in state elections, BJP has established a majority in most of the states as well as the Union. However, despite being a majority party at the national level, BJP was not able to stamp its authority on policies and laws affecting people across the nation. This is because BJP does not have a majority in Rajya Sabha.
Any bill except money bills requires assent from both upper as well as lower house to get passed. Though BJP has been in majority in Lok Sabha from 2014, it never had the privilege of having more than half the numbers in Rajya Sabha. This made it tedious for the party to implement its thought process in the form of law.
NDA to have a majority in House of elders
Things will change this year. Riding on the back of recent victories in elections, BJP is set to attend majority in 243 seats upper house of Parliament. This year, 75 esteemed members of the Rajya Sabha are constitutionally leaving their seats. This means that BJP alone will be able to cross three-digit marks in the upper house for the very first time in history.
The saffron party will get 3 more Rajya Sabha seats in UP. Additionally, it is set to snatch 4 seats from Congress in Assam, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The nationalistic party’s membership in the upper house is expected to increase from 97 to 104.
On the other hand, by the end of the Rajya Sabha elections, BJP’s NDA Coalition members will comfortably have 19 seats, which take the total tally of NDA’s seat in the upper house to 123. For the majority, a party or coalition requires 122 seats out of 243 seats in the Upper House.
Rajya Sabha’s dignity will be restored by BJP
By gaining a majority in Rajya Sabha, BJP will get a free hand to implement its policies. Ever Since it came to power, BJP has been craving for the Rajya Sabha majority. It’s only because of not being dominant in the upper house that the BJP has not been able to take the nation to its potential.
When BJP came to power, it introduced the Land Acquisition Bill to make India a more business-friendly country. It was passed in Lok Sabha, but supposedly “House of elders” imposed an impasse and forced the Modi government to withdraw the bill. Similarly, Late Shri Arun Jaitley had to conduct various rounds of mostly unnecessary deliberations with Rajya Sabha MPs to ensure that GST reforms are introduced in the country.
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Moreover, during the Modi era, the opposition has turned Rajya Sabha into an unruly gang than a bunch of well-educated ones. The Upper House membership has become a symbol of political power and influence and is no longer a means of checking heated passions in the Lok Sabha.
Read more: Gangs of Rajya Sabha: RS MPs showed the arrogance typical of unelected representatives
Easy to choose President
Through its control over Rajya Sabha and states, BJP can choose the President of its choice without many hurdles. President is elected by members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and MLAs in state assemblies. In addition to the majority in two houses of Parliament, BJP is heading the government in 17 states of India. This will make the Presidential election a cakewalk for the saffron party.
It’s an archetypical truth that Democracy is run by the diversity of opinions. However, the opposition had used this principle to scuttle the voice of the common people. With BJP’s majority in Rajya Sabha, things will change for good.