Upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections: Key Contests and Political Maneuvering

The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections on March 16, 2025, will see contests for 37 seats across ten states, with significant political maneuvering already underway. Key candidates include Sharad Pawar and Ramdas Athawale, while the Congress party has relocated its legislators to Bengaluru to maintain unity amid fears of cross-voting. The political landscape is complex, especially in states like Odisha and Bihar, where alliances and independent candidates play crucial roles. This election is not just about seats but also a test of party discipline and strategy for the Congress and opposition leaders. Discover the intricate dynamics and potential outcomes as the election date approaches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 13, 2026, 15:54 IST

Overview of the Upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections

On March 16, 2025, elections will be held for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across ten states. Out of these, 26 seats have already been filled unopposed by candidates, including the 85-year-old NCP founder Sharad Pawar, RPI(A) leader Ramdas Athawale, and senior AIADMK figure M. Thambidurai. Voting will take place for the remaining 11 seats, which include five in Bihar, four in Odisha, and two in Haryana, with results announced on the same day.

Current Political Landscape

Currently, the opposition alliance (INDIA) holds 80 seats in the upper house, which has a total of 245 seats, while the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enjoys a comfortable majority with 136 members, including 102 from the BJP. Amid concerns of cross-voting in the upcoming elections in Odisha, the Congress party has relocated its legislators to Bengaluru, a move widely interpreted as an effort to maintain party unity through resort politics.

Candidates and Strategies in Odisha

In the Odisha Assembly, the BJP currently has the backing of 79 out of 147 members, while the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) holds 50 seats and Congress has 14. The BJD has nominated Shantanu Mishra as its official candidate, while Congress has fielded Datteshwar Hota for the fourth Rajya Sabha seat. The BJP has also put forward two candidates and is supporting independent candidate Dilip Rai.

Potential Outcomes and Challenges

According to Congress sources, the competition for the fourth seat may hinge on cross-voting. Datteshwar Hota's success will depend on the support of Congress legislators, while independent candidate Dilip Rai will need backing from at least eight opposition members to secure a win. In Haryana, a triangular contest is expected for two Rajya Sabha seats, with independent candidate Satish Nandal also remaining in the race.

Political Dynamics in Haryana

Nandal, who previously contested against Bhupinder Singh Hooda on a BJP ticket, has filed his nomination with the support of three independent legislators - Rajesh June, Savitri Jindal, and Devender Kadian. The ruling BJP is leveraging its strong majority of 48 legislators by fielding former MP Sanjay Bhatia, while the opposition Congress is backing prominent Dalit leader Karmveer Bauddh. This election is a critical test of survival and discipline for Congress and opposition leader Hooda, who, despite having enough seats to win, has faced challenges with cross-voting and technical issues over the past decade.

Bihar's Political Contest

The political battle for five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar is heating up ahead of the March 16 elections. The NDA, with a combined strength of 202 legislators, is capable of winning four seats independently. However, the decision of the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to contest has posed a challenge to the NDA's efforts to secure all five seats. To win the fifth seat, the NDA will require support from three opposition legislators.

Final Thoughts

The competition for the final seat will be determined by a narrow margin. Even if the Grand Alliance votes as a single entity, their combined strength may fall short. The opposition must ensure flawless coordination and preference transfers not only among their parties but also with six independent legislators to prevent the NDA from winning the fifth seat. Any absence, invalid votes, or errors in preference order could significantly undermine this effort.