Tough for Kejriwal to muster support in Rajya Sabha
The AAP Convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will face a tough time to defeat Centre's Delhi Services Bill in the Rajya Sabha even as the Congress pledged its support to him. If the Government doesn't have a clear majority in the Rajya Sabha, the same goes for the 24 parties alliance too.
Given the composition of the Rajya Sabha after 11 MPs were elected unopposed today, the BJP and its allies have 105 votes in the kitty in a House of 238. The BJP will need 120 votes to ensure the passage of the controversial bill currently engaging the attention of the Supreme Court as well. In addition, the government has the support of five nominated and two Independents Mps taking the total to 112. The government can also nominate two members to the Rajya Sabha which can take the total to 114. The Janata Dal (S) and TDP having one MP each in RS are also in touch with the BJP.
Therefore, a decision by the YSR Congress (9), BJD (9) and BSP (1) who together have the support of 19 Mps will hold the key to the fate of the Delhi Ordinance. If these parties remain absent during the time of voting, the government can sail through easily as the strength of the Rajya Sabha will come down to 219. Kejriwal will have to work hard to woo these non-aligned parties to support him in the Rajya Sabha to ensure the defeat of the Bill. Kejriwal may have been pressurizing the Congress to declare its support to him. But this alone is not enough to defeat the Bill. He will have to knock at the doors of these non-aligned parties as well.
