It is just hours to go, to know the fate of the controversial legislation. All eyes are on Rajya Sabha as a heated debate unfolds between the ruling NDA and the Opposition INDIA bloc over the Waqf Amendment Bill. How will the numbers play out? Who will have the decisive say? We take a closer look here..
After an overnight debate in the Lower House, the Upper House is now witnessing intense discussions on the Waqf Amendment Bill. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition INDIA bloc remain firm in their stances, showing no signs of backing down on the controversial legislation. Lok Sabha early on Thursday, where it was passed by 288-232 votes.
NDA has numbers above the halfway mark in the Rajya Sabha, whose current strength is 236 members with 9 vacancies (four nominated, four in J&K and one in Andhra Pradesh). In the Rajya Sabha, the current strength is 236 members. The BJP-led NDA holds 117 seats, which is just two seats below the majority requirement of 119. However, with the support of two nominated members and six independent MPs, the NDA’s effective strength increases to 125, comfortably surpassing the majority threshold.
The Numbers In The Upper House
Total: 236
The BJP-led NDA holds a strong position in the Rajya Sabha
NDA MPs = 117 (two short of the majority of 119)
2 nominated members + 6 independents = 117 + 8 = 125
BJP: 98
JD(U): 4
Ajit Pawar’s NCP: 3,
TDP: 2
One each from 10 other parties = 10
The Opposition INDIA bloc
The INDIA bloc has a total of 88 lawmakers, which falls short of the numbers needed to block the bill
Congress: 27
TMC: 13
AAP: 10
DMK: 10
RJD: 5
Samajwadi Party: 4
CPI-M: 4
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha: 3 + Others
As many as 23 MPs are from non-NDA and non-INDIA bloc parties
As per the above numbers, BJP led NDA can clearly pass the bill in the upper house without any hurdles. However, the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD has seven lawmakers. But its stance on supporting the INDIA bloc is still uncertain. Additionally, even if BJD aligns with the Opposition also, they aren’t strong enough to block the bill from passing.
Rajya Sabha Numbers
Currently Rajya Sabha has 237 members, wherein 119 votes are required for a majority. The total capacity of the Rajya Sabha is 245, consisting of 233 elected members and 12 nominated members.
