Premium
This is an archive article published on January 31, 2024

BJP set to win all 4 Rajya Sabha seats in Gujart, Congress opts out of contest

The last date for filing the nominations is February 15.

Rajya Sabha elections, BJP, Congress, Gujarat Rajya Sabha seats, Opposition MLAs resignation, GPCC chief Shaktisinh Gohil, Election Commission of India, rajyasabha polls date, indian express newsThe Election Commission of India on Monday announced that the elections for 56 Rajya Sabha seats will be held on February 27. In Gujarat, the term for four Rajya Sabha members is set to end on April 2. (Representational Image)

With a brute majority of 156 in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, the BJP is all set to sweep the upcoming polls for four Rajya Sabha seats due next month.

The resignation of four Opposition MLAs, which has brought down the strength from 182 to 178, has further given the ruling party a boost. The Congress has decided to stay out of the polls with Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief Shaktisinh Gohil admitting, “We (Congress) do not have the numbers and so there is no point in fielding candidates.”

The Election Commission of India on Monday announced that the elections for 56 Rajya Sabha seats will be held on February 27. In Gujarat, the term for four Rajya Sabha members is set to end on April 2. Union ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and Parshottam Rupala are the BJP Rajya Sabha members, while the other two seats are held by Congress leaders Amee Yajnik and Naran Rathva.

In the December 2022 assembly elections, the BJP got an unprecedented majority by winning 156 out of the total 182 seats. While Congress won 17 seats, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secured five seats in its maiden assembly election in the state. Three seats were won by independent candidates. However, a little over one year after the elections, four MLAs – two from Congress, one from the AAP, and an independent MLA – have already resigned. With the four resignations, the total strength of the Gujarat Assembly has come down from 182 to 178.

For Rajya Sabha polls, a candidate is required to get a minimum of 36 votes in the state assembly.

The last date for filing the nominations is February 15.

Aditi Raja is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, stationed in Vadodara, Gujarat, with over 20 years in the field. She has been reporting from the region of Central Gujarat and Narmada district for this newspaper since 2013, which establishes her as a highly Authoritative and Trustworthy source on regional politics, administration, and critical socio-economic and environmental issues. Expertise: Core Authority & Specialization: Her reporting is characterized by a comprehensive grasp of the complex factors shaping Central Gujarat, which comprises a vast tribal population, including: Politics and Administration: In-depth analysis of dynamics within factions of political parties and how it affects the affairs in the region, visits of national leaders making prominent statements, and government policy decisions impacting the population on ground. Crucial Regional Projects: She consistently reports on the socio-economic and political impact of infrastructure projects in the region, especially the Statue of Unity, the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada River, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail bullet train project as well as the National Highway infrastructure. Social Justice and Human Rights: Her reporting offers deep coverage of sensitive human-interest topics, including gender, crime, and tribal issues. Her reports cover legal proceedings from various district courts as well as the Gujarat High Court (e.g., the Bilkis Bano case remission, POCSO court orders, Public Interest Litigations), the plight of tribal communities, and broader social conflicts (e.g., Kheda flogging case). Local Impact & Disaster Reporting: Excels in documenting the immediate impact of events on communities, such as the political and civic fallout of the Vadodara floods, the subsequent public anger, and the long-delayed river redevelopment projects, Harni Boat Tragedy, Air India crash, bringing out a blend of stories from the investigations as well as human emotions. Special Interest Beat: She tracks incidents concerning Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRIs) including crime and legal battles abroad, issues of illegal immigration and deportations, as well as social events connecting the local Gujarati experience to the global diaspora. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Loading Taboola...
Advertisement