The Election Commission has announced by-elections for three Rajya Sabha seats in West Bengal. Voting for these seats will take place on July 24 and the results will also be declared on the same day. Although there may be confusion over one seat in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee’s strength will be clearly visible – at least in this election – even if there is a split in the Trinamool Congress; Without him, the Ritabrata faction would not be able to survive in this contest.
What is the mathematics of Rajya Sabha elections in Bengal?
There are 294 assembly seats in West Bengal. According to this, 74 MLAs are required to win one seat. BJP has 207 seats. According to this, BJP can easily win two seats, but the third seat can be difficult, because to win all three seats easily, 222 votes will be required. Trinamool has 80 MLAs but they are divided into two groups. If the MLAs of Mamata Banerjee and Ritabrata faction vote together, it may create problems for the third candidate of BJP.
Will Mamata make Ritabrata Banerjee realize her power?
Mamata Banerjee is so angry with Ritabrata that she will not support his candidate at any cost; The very idea of supporting their opposing group raises question marks. If Ritabrata’s claim of support of 60 MLAs is taken as basis, then Mamata Banerjee has the support of 20 MLAs. This number is very important for the Ritabrata group to enter the Rajya Sabha.
Will BJP support Ritabrata faction?
Even after confirming the victory of its two candidates, BJP will have more than 50 additional votes, while the Ritabrata faction has 60 votes. In such a situation, it has to be seen whether BJP will transfer its votes to Ritabrata faction and help them get a seat in Rajya Sabha or not. Apart from this, it is also possible that MLAs from Mamata Banerjee or Ritabrata factions cross-voting in support of the BJP candidate, thereby ensuring the victory of the third BJP candidate.
How many seats does which party have?
BJP won 207 seats in West Bengal Assembly elections; Apart from this, Trinamool Congress has 80 seats, Congress has two, Humayun Kabir’s party has two and CPI and AISF have one seat each. Now it remains to be seen how Mamata Banerjee keeps her MLAs united and what message she gives to Ritabrata during the Rajya Sabha elections.
