Why Congress is pushing hard for Maharashtra's lone Rajya Sabha seat

Key Highlights

• (Representative photo.
• Sansad TV via PTI)Ritvick Arun BhalekarMumbai,UPDATED: Mar 3, 2026 11:03 ISTEdited By: Zafar AbbasThe Congress party has begun intense negotiations within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to secure Maharashtra’s lone Rajya Sabha seat, describing it as a “mathematical necessity” for safeguarding its national standing in the Upper House. With 72 Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant this year, the party faces a crucial test of numbers that could determine whether it retains the Leader of Opposition (LoP) position.
• Under parliamentary rules, a party must have at least 10 per cent of the 245-member House, a minimum of 25 MPs, to claim the LoP post.
• The Indian National Congress currently has 27 members, but the retirement of senior leaders such as Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Rajni Patil, Phulodevi Netam and K.
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