Rajya Sabha polls for 12 seats: BJP likely to retain 8 in UP, SP eyes gain

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to maintain control in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, securing eight of the ten seats. The Samajwadi Party (SP) is predicted to win the remaining two seats, based on the current strength of parties in the assembly. Voting for these elections will take place on October 16, with results declared on the same day.

The BJP is also anticipated to gain one seat in West Bengal, replacing the recently resigned actor Rukmini Mallick. The Samajwadi Party is favored to win the lone seat from that state as well, following the departure of Trinamool Congress member Koel. In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP-led alliance holds around 290 MLAs, while the SP-Congress coalition possesses approximately 103 MLAs, with a candidate needing 37 votes to win a Rajya Sabha seat.

The BJP can easily win seven seats, whereas the SP-Congress combination can secure two. The contest for the tenth seat could be more competitive, with the BJP-led alliance starting at around 31 votes against the SP-Congress side's 29. This election may also signal the end of the Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) representation in Parliament, as their sole Rajya Sabha member, Ramji Gautam, whose term ends in November, passed away in August.