Gujarat will elect four Rajya Sabha members on June 18 as the current terms end. The ruling BJP, holding a record 161 seats in the 182-member assembly, is expected to capture all four positions. This outcome would leave the Congress without any Rajya Sabha representation from the state for the first time.
The state has eleven Rajya Sabha seats. Ten are occupied by BJP members and one by Congress legislator Shaktisinh Gohil, whose term expires on June 21 along with three BJP members. The Election Commission announced the polls on June 1 and set June 8 as the deadline for nominations.
Each candidate needs backing from at least 46 legislators under present rules. The BJP and Congress possess sufficient numbers to nominate candidates, while the AAP lacks the required proposers. Only the BJP commands enough votes to guarantee victory.
The Congress currently holds twelve assembly seats, its lowest-ever total. The AAP has five members and the Samajwadi Party one. Two independents support the BJP.
BJP sources indicated the party will likely win every seat and noted that Congress representation from Gujarat could reach zero. The party has already named four candidates for the vacancies.
Congress spokespersons stated no final decision has been taken on fielding a nominee, citing insufficient numbers. They emphasized that raising state issues effectively matters more than the count of seats held.
