A major political development unfolded during the Parliament's monsoon session when, on the very first day, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar unexpectedly resigned from his position.
New Delhi: As India gears up for the upcoming Vice Presidential election on September 9, 2025, a significant political update has emerged from the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Three newly nominated Rajya Sabha MPs have joined the BJP, bringing the party's total strength in the Rajya Sabha to 102.
This development coincides with the ongoing monsoon session of the country's Parliament, and the unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on the session's opening day. Following his resignation, the central government has intensified its strategic preparations for the Vice Presidential election.
BJP Crosses the 100 Mark
With the inclusion of three nominated members – Ujjwal Nikam, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and C. Sadanandan Master – the BJP has once again crossed the century mark in the Rajya Sabha. This is the first time since April 2022 that the BJP's strength in the upper house has surpassed 100. All three individuals were recently sworn in as nominated members of the Rajya Sabha, and their decision to join the BJP has further solidified the party's position.
- Ujjwal Nikam: A renowned senior lawyer in the country, who has represented the prosecution in cases like that of Ajmal Kasab.
- Harsh Vardhan Shringla: Former Foreign Secretary of India, whose experience on the foreign policy front is highly valuable to the government.
- C. Sadanandan Master: A dedicated social worker who has been working for education and social reforms in South India.
All three individuals had politically neutral images, but by joining the BJP, they have adopted a clear political stance.
Equations in the Rajya Sabha
The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is 250, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President. Currently, the house has a total of 245 members. Of these 12 nominated members, 5 MPs have now become members of the BJP, giving the party a direct advantage from the nominated quota as well. It is difficult to cross the majority mark in the Rajya Sabha because this house is permanent, and one-third of the members change every two years. In such a situation, the arrival of three additional seats is beneficial for the BJP for both electoral and legislative strategies.
In India, the election of the Vice President is conducted by the joint electorate of both houses of Parliament - the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Although the Lok Sabha has a larger number of members, the role of the Rajya Sabha can be decisive, especially when the ruling party wants to elect its candidate unopposed or easily.
The BJP already has a majority in the Lok Sabha, and now with 102 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, its claim has become even ber. This makes it almost certain that the candidate supported by the BJP can win the Vice Presidential election with a significant lead.
