The Election Commission on Monday (July 6) announced by-elections to three Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal, with polling and counting of votes scheduled for July 24.
The bypolls were necessitated following the resignations of rebel Trinamool Congress MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik from the Upper House. They stepped down on different dates in June after questioning the party leadership following its defeat in the assembly polls.
Schedule for Rajya Sabha bypoll
| 1. | Issue of Notifications | 7 July, 2026 (Tuesday) |
| 2. | Last date of making nominations | 14 July, 2026 (Tuesday) |
| 3. | Scrutiny of nominations | 15 July, 2026 (Wednesday) |
| 4. | Last date for withdrawal of candidatures | 17 July, 2026 (Friday) |
| 5. | Date of Poll | 24 July, 2026 (Friday) |
| 6. | Hours of Poll | 09:00 am- 04:00 pm |
| 7. | Counting of Votes | 24 July, 2026 (Friday) at 5 pm |
| 8. | Date before which election shall be completed | 27 July, 2026 (Monday) |
BJP's numbers in Rajya Sabha to go up
With the BJP sweeping the West Bengal assembly polls, their numbers in the Rajya Sabha are set to go up after the three bypolls.
Currently, the NDA's tally stands at 152 in the Upper House. However, the effective strength of the Rajya Sabha is currently 241 because four seats from West Bengal are vacant following the resignations of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Sushmita Dev, Prakash Chik Baraik, and Koel Mallick. The BJP is expected to win all four vacant seats from West Bengal, which would increase the NDA's strength to 156.
For a constitutional amendment to comfortably pass, the ruling coalition would need the support of at least 164 members in the Rajya Sabha. This means the NDA remains just eight members short of the target even after accounting for the likely gains from West Bengal.
Current NDA Strength in Rajya Sabha
The NDA's tally of 152 comprises:
- BJP: 114
- TDP: 04
- JD(U): 04
- AIADMK: 04
- NCP: 04
- Shiv Sena: 02
- AGP: 01
- RLM: 01
- PMK: 01
- RPI(A): 01
- JSP: 01
- NPP: 01
- RLD: 01
- Nominated Members: 7
- Independents: 3
- UPPL: 02 (Outside support)
- ZPM: 01 (Outside support)
The UPPL and ZPM are considered outside supporters but broadly back the NDA on key issues.
INDIA bloc continues to lag behind
The INDIA bloc currently has 63 members in the Rajya Sabha.
Its strength includes:
- Congress: 30
- Trinamool Congress: 09
- Samajwadi Party: 04
- CPM: 03
- JMM: 03
- JKNC: 03
- RJD: 03
- CPI: 02
- IUML: 02
- KCM: 01
- NCP (Sharad Pawar): 01
- Shiv Sena (UBT): 01
- Independnet: 01
Also Read: Parliament Monsoon Session to begin from July 20, to continue till August 13: Kiren Rijiju
Also Read: Centre designates 23 Pakistan-based individuals linked to JeM, LeT as 'terrorists' under UAPA
