Rajya Sabha election 2026 brings NDA close to majority mark, Opposition trails: Numbers explained

Out of 37, 26 candidates from seven states were elected unopposed.

• NDA sweeps Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, gains in Odisha, Haryana
• NDA now holds about 120–125 seats in the 245-member Rajya Sabha
• Opposition INDIA bloc has 85–95 seats, NDA nears majority

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The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) delivered a strong performance in the Rajya Sabha elections on Monday, sweeping all seats in Bihar and making key gains in Odisha, even as a closely fought contest in Haryana was marred by controversy.

The NDA won all five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, secured three in Odisha, and clinched one in Haryana on Monday.

Out of the 37 Rajya Sabha vacancies, elections were held for only 11 seats, with contests confined to Bihar, Odisha and Haryana. The remaining 26 seats were filled unopposed, as candidates faced no challengers—a common feature in Rajya Sabha polls where parties with sufficient strength in state assemblies can secure seats without a contest.

Bihar

The winners were JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, new Bihar BJP president Nitin Nabin, Union minister Ram Nath Thakur, Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha, and BJP’s Shivesh Kumar, who will enter the Upper House for the first time.

Ram Nath Thakur and Upendra Kushwaha—both sitting MPs—were re-elected as part of the NDA sweep. However, outgoing MP Amarendra Dhari Singh lost despite RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav claiming he had secured backing from AIMIM and BSP legislators.

Odisha

The BJP won three of the four seats, including Independent candidate Dilip Ray, whom it backed. The other winners were state BJP chief Manmohan Samal, sitting MP Sujeet Kumar, and the BJD’s Santrupt Misra.

The lone loser was Datteswar Hota, the BJD-backed candidate supported by the Congress and CPI(M).

The BJP’s third victory came amid cross-voting, with at least five MLAs—three from Congress and two from the BJD—reportedly supporting Ray.

Haryana

The counting for two seats was halted after the BJP alleged a breach of voting secrecy by Congress MLAs.

The BJP fielded Sanjay Bhatia and Independent Satish Nandal, while the Congress candidate is Karamvir Singh Boudh.

State minister Krishan Kumar Bedi claimed two Congress MLAs failed to fold their ballots properly, violating norms.

BJP’s  Bhatia and Congress’s Boudh were declared elected to two Rajya Sabha seats from Haryana.

 Strength of NDA, Opposition in Upper House

The balance of power in the Rajya Sabha has tilted further in favour of the NDA following the 2026 elections.

In the 245-member House, the NDA now holds roughly 120–125 seats. The halfway mark is 123. The opposition INDIA bloc accounts for about 85–95 seats, while the remaining 25–35 seats are with non-aligned regional parties, independents, and nominated members.

This arithmetic gives the NDA a clear edge. Though it may fall marginally short of a simple majority on its own, the ruling alliance is well-positioned to pass most legislation with backing from smaller parties and nominated members.

The opposition’s effectiveness will depend on how cohesively the INDIA bloc functions and whether regional players align with it on key legislative battles.

In essence, the 2026 results have not delivered an absolute majority to the NDA—but they have brought it close enough to decisively shape the legislative agenda in the Rajya Sabha.