With BJD And YSRCP Supporting Delhi Services Bill, How The Equation Changes For BJP In Rajya Sabha

Delhi Services Bill: While the NDA will face no hiccups in getting the Delhi Services Bill passed in Lok Sabha, lets have a look how numbers stack up for the BJP and Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

After the YSRCP, Naveen Patnaik's BJD became the second fence-sitter party (those not alligned with either the BJP or the Opposition) to extend its support to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which seeks to replace an ordinance related to control of services in the national capital. The bill has become a rallying point for Opposition unity in Parliament.

The bill, which empowers the Delhi Lieutenant Governor to have a final say in recommendations regarding transfer and posting of Delhi government officials, was tabled in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. 

The legislation reverses the effect of the Supreme Court verdict in May that gave the Delhi government power over administrative services.

While the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will face no hiccups in getting the Delhi Services Bill passed in Lok Sabha, with BJP itself having 305 MPs, lets have a look how numbers stack up for the saffron party and Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

What Is The Present Strength In Rajya Sabha?

The full strength of the Rajya Sabha or the Upper House is 240. However, presently there are seven vacancies and 238 members are there in the Rajya Sabha. If all the 238 members are present on the day of passage of the bill, then the halfway mark will be 120.

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How Will The Numbers Stack Up For NDA With BJD And YSRCP Support?

The BJP lacks a clear majority in the Rajya Sabha. As per the Rajya Sabha website, the BJP has 92 members. However, the NDA has a total of 100 MPs. Still short of the halfway mark of 120.

Here is where the support from BJD and YSRCP will come as a shot in the arm for the NDA. Both BJD and Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP have nine MPs each in the Upper House, i.e, 18 MPs.

This takes the total members in support of the bill to 118. Moreover, BJP has said it was confident of getting the support of five nominated members and one independent MP. 

On the other hand, the Opposition 'INDIA' alliance, which comprises of 26 parties, collectively have 101 MPs. Of the 26 parties, about 18 have presence in the Upper House.

Besides, the BRS of K Chandrashekar Rao, which has seven MPs in Rajya Sabha, has decided to vote against the bill. Also, some independents like Kapil Sibal are expected to vote against the bill.

Even then, the Opposition bloc will have 109 MPs, way short of the majority mark. This means, the BJP is likely to face no major hurdles in getting the services bill passed even in the Upper House.