Majority mark for NDA in Upper House

THE BJP-led NDA on Tuesday touched the majority mark in the Rajya Sabha with nine BJP nominees, including two Union ministers, and two members of its allies being elected unopposed in the by-polls from various states including Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra.

- RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR

One seat went to the Congress.

With it, the NDA reached the majority mark of 112 in the Upper House ahead of the winter session in which many crucial bills are expected to be moved.

The Rajya Sabha has 245 seats, though currently there are eight vacancies four from Jammu and Kashmir and four nominated. With the house's current strength of 237, the majority mark is 119. The NDA also has the support of six nominated members and one independent.

Former HRD minister, Upendra Kushwaha and BJP nominee Manan Kumar Mishra were elected unopposed from the state. Kushwaha heads the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) and joined the NDA during the last general election. He is considered a prominent leader of his community which has a significant population in the state and plays a significant role in assembly elections. He belongs to Vaishali district.