Rajya Sabha Elections: NDA Gains Edge Amid Cross-Voting and Opposition Setbacks

Hindustan Times - India · 17 Mar 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Polity Mains · GS2 Polity and constitution High relevance

The NDA secured significant gains in Rajya Sabha elections across 10 states, benefiting from cross-voting and absenteeism among Opposition MLAs, which will strengthen its legislative agenda in the Upper House.

Key points

Rajya Sabha Elections: Elections were held for 37 seats across 10 states, with the NDA gaining an upper hand due to strategic cross-voting and absenteeism among Opposition MLAs.

Anti-Defection Law: The law does not apply to Rajya Sabha elections, enabling MLAs to vote against party lines without disqualification, a key factor in the NDA's gains.

Odisha: The BJP won two seats, and an independent backed by the party won a third, reducing the BJD to just one seat, marking a significant shift in the state's political dynamics.

Bihar: The NDA swept all five seats after four Opposition MLAs, including three from Congress and one from RJD, abstained from voting, leading to second-preference voting.

Haryana: The contest remained tight, with both BJP and Congress trading allegations of electoral interference, highlighting the high-stakes nature of the elections.

Cross-Voting: Several BJD and Congress MLAs in Odisha voted against their party lines, reflecting internal dissent and strategic maneuvering by the BJP.

[GS2-Governance] The results underscore the challenges of party discipline in indirect elections and the strategic use of cross-voting to influence legislative outcomes.

Legislative Implications: The NDA's strengthened position in the Rajya Sabha will facilitate the passage of key legislative agendas, reducing reliance on Opposition support.

Way Forward: To ensure electoral integrity, the Election Commission should consider stricter monitoring of Rajya Sabha polls, and parties must address internal dissent to prevent cross-voting.

Key terms

Rajya Sabha

The Upper House of India's Parliament, representing states and union territories, with members elected by state legislatures. It plays a critical role in reviewing and amending legislation, especially on federal matters, and has equal footing with the Lok Sabha in all areas except money bills.

Anti-Defection Law

A constitutional provision under the Tenth Schedule, aimed at preventing elected members from switching parties arbitrarily. It mandates disqualification for defection but does not apply to Rajya Sabha elections, allowing MLAs to vote freely without party constraints.

Cross-Voting

The act of legislators voting against their party's official candidate, often due to internal dissent or external inducements. In Rajya Sabha elections, it can significantly alter outcomes, as seen in the recent polls.

Second-Preference Voting

A system used in Rajya Sabha elections where if no candidate secures the required first-preference votes, the votes are redistributed based on second preferences to determine the winner, ensuring majority support.