Rajya Sabha polls: I.N.D.I.A. bloc faces acid test in Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam

New Delhi: The March 16 Rajya Sabha polls have come as an acid test for the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc in Maharashtra, Bihar and Assam where it can win one seat each but is struggling with competing claims and fears of defection to the BJP side.

While in Maharashtra, the Opposition bloc has more than enough votes to win a seat but the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP(SP) have staked claim while in Bihar, the I.N.D.I.A. bloc is short of six votes and expects AIMIM and BSP to compensate amid the NDA contemplating fielding a fifth candidate.

The BJP is also planning to field a second candidate in Assembly poll-bound Assam where the Congress and its allies cannot win the seat without the help of AIUDF, which if happens the BJP is likely to use a campaign during the upcoming Assembly elections.

If NCP(SP) supremo Sharad Pawar express his interest to return to Rajya Sabha, the I.N.D.I.A. bloc or Maha Vikas Agadhi as it is known in Maharashtra, the other parties in the Opposition may not be left with much option but to support him but the Congress has raised concerns over his future moves.

With the merger of NCP factions continuing to be on agenda, Congress leaders highlight that Pawar may switch sides in such a scenario and this should be considered while deciding on the lone candidate it could manage to win due to its dismal performance in 2024 Assembly elections.

Shiv Sena (UBT) has 20, Congress 16 and NCP(SP) 11 in Maharashtra, six more than what it needs to get its own elected. Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress have also staked claim for the lone seat while the BJP-led NDA is all set to garner six of the seven seats, with a couple of them going to allies.

In Bihar, the I.N.D.I.A. bloc with 35 seats is staring at a more serious issue as it is short of six votes to win the fifth seat and will have to bank on five MLAs of AIMIM and one of BSP. At the same time, there is also speculation about the next move of six Congress MLas.

Four seats will go to the NDA with BJP and JD(U) likely to share it. All eyes will be on whether BJP President Nitin Nabin will be sent to Rajya Sabha. The NDA will also have to accommodate RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha if he is not given renomination while JD(U) will have to decide whether to renominate Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.

With DMK firmly on the saddle and its four MPs retiring, it is to be seen whether it will give one of the four seats it can win from Tamil Nadu to its new ally DMDK this time or will wait for next time to keep its promise. DMK had sent Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Hasan to Rajya Sabha from its quota.

In Telangana, the ruling Congress will aim to win the second seat as it is short of just five votes. The first seat is likely to go to senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi while other Opposition parties do not have numbers on their own.

With Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy having good relationship with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi who has seven MLAs under him, Congress hopes to get the second seat comfortably added by some defections from the BRS.

In Odisha, BJP can easily win two of the four seats while it is looking at options for a third seat. However, Congress said it would approach the BJD, which can win one seat on its own, to agree to earmark its surplus votes along with 15 other Opposition votes to get a common candidate so that BJP does not manage a third seat.