A Rajya Sabha rummy: How BJP manages ‘floating majority’ with bellwether backings

​When the BJP swept to power in 2014 with a decisive majority in the Lok Sabha, it did not carry that dominance into the Rajya Sabha. The Upper House, by design, is insulated from electoral waves. Its members are elected by state assemblies, and their terms are staggered, ensuring continuity and preventing sudden shifts. This meant that even as the BJP commanded brute strength in the Lower House, it remained a minority in the Upper House for years. That imbalance mattered!

By RAJEEV SINGH