After victory in assembly polls, BJP eyes majority in U.P. Legislative Council

Biennial State Legislative Council elections to be held on April 9

After a landslide victory in the State Legislative Assembly, the BJP would be eying to win the majority of 36 seats in the State Legislative Council where biennial elections will be held on April 9.

The 36 seats of U.P.'s Upper House are spread across 35 local authorities' constituencies, where polls were earlier planned on two different dates, but now it will be conducted together on April 9, sources in the election office said on Monday.

For the ruling BJP, which came back to power with a two-third majority in the just concluded Assembly elections, it will be an opportunity to make itself the single-largest party in the House, and thereby enjoy a majority in both the Houses of U.P. Legislature.

According to the official website, of the 100-member U.P. Legislative Council, currently the BJP has 35 MLCs, SP has 17 and the BSP has four MLCs.

The Congress, Apna Dal (Sonelal) and NISHAD party have one member each in the U.P. Legislative Council.

The Teachers' group has 2 MLCs, while the Independent group ('Nirdal Samooh') and Independents have 1 MLC each.

As many as 37 seats are vacant at present.