Dominating both houses is essential to pass controversial legislation that Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party has promised to its Hindu nationalist base, such as granting citizenship to non-Muslim immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh and Pakistan. Most members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by lawmakers from state assemblies, while a dozen are nominated by the central government. PRS’s projection shows that to get to the 122 seats needed for a majority, the NDA would need the support of regional parties from eastern and southern India. During his first term, though, the government’s legislative agenda was often thwarted by opposition parties who hold sway in the Rajya Sabha. India’s main opposition Congress party, on the other hand, is set to lose 12 seats in Rajya Sabha by 2020, bringing its total tally down to 38.

Source: bd News24 June 08, 2019 05:15 UTC