X: @the_news_21
The anticipation is high as Uttar Pradesh gears up for the Rajya Sabha elections tomorrow, with the BJP and the Samajwadi Party (SP) locked in a fierce contest for an extra seat. With 10 seats up for grabs and 11 candidates in the fray – 8 from the BJP and 3 from the SP – the battle for the crucial tenth candidate position intensifies, as both parties scramble to secure the required number of votes.
A candidate needs 37 votes to clinch victory, setting the stage for a nail-biting showdown between the two political heavyweights.
In the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, currently comprising 399 legislators due to four vacant seats, the BJP aims to secure the necessary votes to propel its eighth candidate to victory. With the NDA boasting a total of 288 legislators, including allies like the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Apna Dal (S), Nishad Party, Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP), and Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik), the BJP’s path seems promising. However, with one SBSP legislator behind bars, the BJP’s effective count stands at 287 legislators, leaving them in need of 9 additional votes. Speculation surrounds the potential support of BSP MP Ritesh Pandey, who recently switched allegiance to the BJP, potentially bringing his father Rakesh Pandey’s SP vote into the BJP fold.
On the other side of the aisle, the SP and Congress alliance boasts 110 legislators, with two SP members currently incarcerated. With the SP requiring just three more votes to secure victory for their third candidate, every vote counts. The scenario changes drastically if Rakesh Pandey decides to back the BJP, necessitating an additional 4 votes for the SP.
Cross-voting emerges as a pivotal factor in determining the ultimate winner, with both parties vying for supremacy in a closely contested battle.
Breakdown of Legislative Strength:
NDA:
- BJP: 252
- Apna Dal (S): 13
- Nishad Party: 6
- SBSP: 6
- Jansatta Dal: 2
- RLD: 9
OPPOSITION:
- Samajwadi Party: 108
- Congress: 2
OTHERS:
- BSP: 1
- Vacant: 4
