The BJP is set to win at least half of the 37 Rajya Sabha seats going to biennial polls on March 16 and is likely to increase its strength in the Upper House, as it is in power or part of the ruling alliance in six of the 10 states where seats are falling vacant.The seats will fall vacant on April 2 and 9 following the retirement of several members, including Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh (JDU), NCP-SP MP Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), former Lok Sabha deputy Speaker M Thambidurai (AIADMK) and Union ministers Ram Nath Thakur (JDU) and Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A).
According to the Election Commission, the seats are spread across Maharashtra (7), Odisha (4), Telangana (2), Tamil Nadu (6), Chhattisgarh (2 seats), West Bengal (5), Assam (3), Haryana (2), Himachal Pradesh (1) and Bihar (5).
Notifications for the polls will be issued on February 26, and according to established practice, polling on March 16 will be held between 9 am and 4 pm, with counting scheduled from 5 pm the same day.
Based on its legislative strength, the BJP is expected to win around 15 to 18 seats, while nine of its MPs are retiring next month.
The BJP has governments or is an alliance partner in Maharashtra, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Assam. It will help the party gain numbers in the Upper House.
In Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal, opposition parties are in power.