New Delhi: The upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections have opened a fresh test for the NDA, with allies in Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka pushing for a bigger share before key political battles ahead.
The Election Commission has already set the stage for Rajya Sabha polls on 24 seats across 10 states. Alongside this, Bihar and Maharashtra are preparing for Legislative Council elections, turning these contests into a show of strength within the ruling alliance.
In Bihar, 9 Legislative Council seats will go to polls, while one seat will see a bypoll after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s resignation. That seat is widely expected to remain with the JD(U), but the larger bargaining is over the remaining seats.
Talks are on between the BJP and JD(U). Earlier, both parties were expected to contest an equal number of seats, but the BJP is now said to be eyeing four seats, while JD(U) may get two. Smaller allies are also seeking space. Upendra Kushwaha’s camp is expected to get one Council berth, while Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM has also staked claim.
Maharashtra presents an even tougher picture. Polls are due for 16 Council seats along with one bypoll, and the Mahayuti partners have not yet settled on a formula. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena is reportedly demanding five seats, while the BJP is not keen on giving that many. The Ajit Pawar camp also wants a larger share, including discussion around the Rajya Sabha seat vacated by Sunetra Pawar.
In Karnataka, four Rajya Sabha seats are in focus. Congress is expected to win three on numbers, while BJP is likely to secure one. The question is whether BJP keeps the seat or accommodates ally JD(S), which wants former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda back in the Upper House.
These elections may not directly change governments, but they will test alliance management. For the NDA, the real challenge is not only winning seats, but keeping partners satisfied before bigger electoral battles.