Rajya Sabha Elections: Congress Relying on Allies, Key Contests Across States

The Rajya Sabha elections for 37 seats across 10 states are scheduled for March 16, 2026. The Congress party is strategically leveraging its alliances to maximize its chances in these crucial contests.

Key States and Seats

The elections will cover:

• Maharashtra – 7 seats
• Tamil Nadu – 6 seats
• West Bengal and Bihar – 5 seats each
• Odisha – 4 seats
• Assam – 3 seats
• Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Telangana – 2 seats each
• Himachal Pradesh – 1 seat

The dynamics differ from state to state, depending on the current composition of legislative assemblies.

Tamil Nadu: DMK Support Puts Pawaan Kheda in Contention

Sources indicate that Congress, in agreement with DMK, has fielded Pawaan Kheda as its candidate for one seat. The decision was finalized after discussions between Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. With the current assembly numbers, DMK is expected to secure four seats, AIADMK one seat, and one seat could see a keen contest.

Bihar: Fifth Seat Hinges on Strategic Alliances

In Bihar, NDA holds 202 MLAs, enough to win four of the five seats. The fifth seat requires additional support. The opposition’s Grand Alliance has 35 MLAs and will need backing from smaller parties. AIMIM’s five MLAs and BSP’s lone legislator are expected to play a crucial role in deciding this seat.

Telangana: Triangular Contest Against BRS

Telangana has two seats up for grabs, requiring support from 41 MLAs to secure a win. Congress holds 66 MLAs, supported by CPI’s one MLA. The BRS has 37 MLAs, while BJP and AIMIM have 8 and 7 MLAs respectively. With BRS fielding a candidate, the contest has become triangular. Congress is reportedly considering Abhishek Manu Singhvi again.

Himachal Pradesh: Candidate Yet to Be Finalized

For the lone seat in Himachal Pradesh, Congress has not announced its candidate. Potential names include Anand Sharma and Pratibha Singh. In the previous election, cross-voting had led to Congress losing the seat.

West Bengal: TMC Eyes Four Seats

In West Bengal, TMC is expected to secure four seats, while one seat remains competitive. This seat, currently held by the Left, could tilt in favor of BJP after the Left’s poor performance in the recent assembly elections.

Odisha and Assam: BJP Dominance

In Odisha, BJP is contesting three of the four seats, with BJD fielding a candidate for the remaining one. In Assam, BJP is contesting two seats, while Congress and AIUDF are likely to field a joint candidate for the third.

Haryana and Chhattisgarh: Straightforward Battles

The two seats in Haryana and Chhattisgarh are anticipated to witness direct contests primarily between Congress and BJP.

The Rajya Sabha elections are set to test political alliances, party strategies, and regional strengths, making the March 16 polls a high-stakes affair for all parties involved.