Political chessboard heats up for Rajya Sabha polls on March 16, contesting 37 seats in 10 states. NDA’s path to 3-4 gains hinges less on INDIA opposition and more on corralling ambitious allies in Bihar and Maharashtra.
Seat math favors NDA: 12 current vs INDIA’s 25. Bihar’s five seats require 41 votes; NDA’s 202 MLAs need three more for clean sweep. Mahagathbandhan (35) eyes unity with AIMIM-BSP for one. Alliance share: BJP-JD(U) four, fifth sparks LJP-HAM-RLSP feud.
Maharashtra math solid—235 MLAs for seven seats (37 votes each), targeting six. Disputes rage: Shinde Sena wants two, BJP offers 3+1 RPI. Pawar’s wildcard independent could lure rebels.
Quick state scan—Tamil Nadu: DMK 4, AIADMK 1, fight for one; Bengal: TMC 4, BJP challenges CPI(M); Odisha: BJP pushes for three vs BJD two; Assam: BJP two, rest contested; Haryana 1-1; Chhattisgarh/Telangana/Himachal Congress-leaning.
Amit Shah’s Bihar pivot on February 25 eyes Nitish meet to seal deals. Verdict: NDA strengthens if allies align; infighting flips script. This poll probes alliance resilience amid power plays.