Rajya Sabha Bypolls to Three West Bengal Seats Announced for July 24; Advantaged NDA Eyeing Two-Thirds Majority

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday issued the official notification for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-elections to fill three vacant seats from West Bengal. Polling is scheduled for July 24, setting the stage for a critical political battle that could significantly alter the numbers in the Upper House of Parliament.

The bypolls were triggered following the consecutive resignations of three Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MPs last month—Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev, and Prakash Chik Baraik. Coming on the heels of the TMC's defeat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections, these elections are widely seen as another massive blow to the regional party.

Numbers Disadvantage Sidelines Trinamool Congress

According to political analysts, the current mathematical configuration of the West Bengal Assembly leaves the TMC with virtually no path to victory. Reinforcing this reality, Ritabrata Banerjee from the naba-TMC (New TMC) faction indicated on Monday that the party is highly unlikely to field candidates due to an inadequate headcount in the assembly.

Simultaneously, the faction of MLAs loyal to Mamata Banerjee has reportedly shrunk to fewer than eight members, making their participation equally improbable. Meanwhile, the "Adi" (Old) TMC camp has maintained a strict silence, offering no official stance on the upcoming polls.

Why the Seats Fell Vacant

The vacancies are the direct fallout of an unprecedented internal rebellion within the TMC following its assembly election debacle:

• Sukhendu Sekhar Ray: The veteran politician resigned from both his Rajya Sabha seat and the TMC, subsequently aligning himself with the BJP-led NDA camp.

• Sushmita Dev: Following her resignation from the Upper House, Dev remarked that she refused to "keep her feet in two different boats." She later met with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and is now associated with the NDA Alliance.

• Prakash Chik Baraik: Becoming the third TMC MP to resign within a span of just one week, Baraik’s sudden exit underscored the deepening organizational crisis within the party.

Realignments in West Bengal's Political Landscape

The Rajya Sabha by-elections coincide with a massive realigning of political forces in West Bengal. Following the change of power in the state, the BJP-led alliance now commands a comfortable majority in the legislative assembly.

The TMC’s troubles have been compounded by a wave of internal defections. A substantial majority of the party’s Lok Sabha MPs have reportedly moved to form a separate legislative bloc to extend outside support to the central NDA government. Former state Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya is the latest high-profile leader to join this shifting political tide.

If the NDA sweeps all three seats—as current assembly numbers strongly suggest—the ruling central alliance will move significantly closer to securing a coveted two-thirds majority in the Rajya Sabha.

Crucial Bills Await the Monsoon Session

The acquisition of these three additional seats is critically timed for the central government. The Monsoon Session of Parliament is expected to run from July 20 to August 13, during which the government plans to introduce and pass several far-reaching legislative measures.

Key bills on the anvil include:

• The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026

• The Delimitation Bill, 2026

• The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026

• The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026

Securing a stronger majority in the Rajya Sabha will drastically smoothen the passage of these constitutional amendments and pivotal economic reforms. The voting for the three seats will conclude on July 24, with the counting of votes scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM on the same day.