NDA Nears Two-Thirds Mark in Rajya Sabha Amid TMC Split; Still Short in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI, June 14: The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is moving closer to a two-thirds majority in the Rajya Sabha following a split within the Trinamool Congress (TMC), though it remains short of the mark in the Lok Sabha despite the political realignment, according to parliamentary sources.

The developments come as the NDA seeks numerical strength to push through key constitutional amendment bills in Parliament. In the ongoing Rajya Sabha elections, the alliance is expected to gain additional seats, including wins in independent contests in Jharkhand and Mizoram.

With three TMC MPs having resigned, the NDA is projected to secure all three West Bengal seats in the upcoming bypolls, taking its Rajya Sabha strength to around 154—still nine short of the two-thirds threshold. However, sources suggest that further resignations from TMC members could push the NDA tally up to 163, which would strengthen its position on constitutional legislation.

The Opposition INDIA bloc currently holds around 64 Rajya Sabha MPs after the DMK (eight MPs) and AAP (three MPs) distanced themselves from the alliance. Regional parties such as YSRCP, BJD and MDMK, with a combined presence in the Upper House, are seen as potential swing factors.

In the Lok Sabha, however, the NDA remains well short of the required 363-seat two-thirds majority. Even with the reported realignment of around 20 TMC MPs forming a separate group, its numbers are projected to rise only to about 213 seats.

The defecting MPs are expected to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday to formally communicate their separation from the TMC, officials added. (Agencies)