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Journalism of Courage
After the YSRCP, the Biju Janata Dal Tuesday announced that it will support the Narendra Modi government on the contentious National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, which replaces the ordinance on services in Delhi, dashing the Opposition’s hope to force a close vote in the Rajya Sabha.
The BJD and YSRCP have nine members each in the Rajya Sabha. With their support, the ruling side can now easily cross the halfway mark.
The combined Opposition along with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, which has declared that it will oppose the Bill, may be less than 110.
The present strength of the House is 238, making the half-way mark 119. There are seven vacancies.
The BJP alone has 92 members (including five nominated MPs) in the Upper House. Along with its NDA allies, the number will go up to 103. While the AIADMK has four MPs, the RPI (Athawale), Asom Gana Parishad, Pattali Makkal Katchi, Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar), National People’s Party, Mizo National Front, United People’s Party (Liberal) have one member each.
Add the 18 members of the BJD and the YSRCP, and the ruling side will have 121 members.
Parties like the BSP, TDP, JD(S) and Sikkim Democratic Front, which have one member each, could also side with the government.
The 26-member Opposition INDIA alliance has 98 members. While the Congress has 31 MPs, the TMC has 13 and the DMK and Aam Aadmi Party 10 each. The RJD has 6 members, the CPI(M) and JD(U) 5 each, the NCP 4, the Shiv Sena (UBT) 3, the JMM and CPI 2 each, and the IUML, Kerala Congress (M), RLD and MDMK 1 each.
The BRS, which is not part of the INDIA, but is opposed to the Bill has 7 members. The Opposition can count on the support of Independent MP Kapil Sibal as well.
