BJP Set to Gain Three Rajya Sabha Seats After Trinamool Bypolls
The Election Commission on Monday announced by-elections to three Rajya Sabha seats in West Bengal, vacated after three Trinamool Congress MPs resigned last month. The bypolls are scheduled for July 24.
The seats were previously held by Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev, and Prakash Chik Baraik, all of whom were elected on Trinamool Congress tickets. They resigned from the party and their membership in June amid internal party tensions. Ray and Baraik's terms were set to expire on August 8, 2029, while Dev's term would have ended on April 2, 2030.
The Election Commission announced that nominations will be accepted from Tuesday until July 14, with scrutiny on July 15 and the last date for withdrawal on July 17. Voting will take place in the West Bengal Assembly from 9 am to 4 pm on July 24, with counting beginning at 5 pm the same day.
Given the Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year, the party is expected to win these three seats unopposed, as no other party has fielded candidates. This would increase the BJP's tally in the Rajya Sabha by three, strengthening its position in the Upper House.
