How Easily Can the BJP Pass Bills in Parliament?

Success Hinges on Coalition Management and Parliamentary Attendance

March 28, 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ability to pass bills in Parliament may not be as straightforward as you might think. With the dynamics of coalition politics, the composition of the two Houses of Parliament, and the nature of the legislation in question, the ease—or difficulty—of getting bills approved varies greatly.

Here’s a detailed look at the numbers and the challenges faced by the BJP and its coalition, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

In the current 18th Lok Sabha, the BJP, holding 240 seats, comfortably navigates the passage of ordinary bills in the lower house alongside its NDA partners. The NDA collectively commands 293 seats, comfortably surpassing the halfway mark of 272, granting the alliance a comfortable margin. Therefore, unless internal dissent arises or attendance falters significantly, ordinary legislation faces little obstacle in the Lok Sabha.

However, constitutional amendments present a more complex challenge.

Such amendments demand a two-thirds majority of members present and voting, along with at least a simple majority of the total membership, translating into roughly 362 votes in a fully attended house. The NDA’s current strength does not meet this requirement. Therefore, securing outside support becomes necessary for any constitutional amendments, inevitably bringing the alliance into negotiations with parties beyond its ideological core.

The Rajya Sabha presents even greater complications for the BJP and its alliance.

With the BJP holding only about 93 seats in the 245-member house, it falls significantly short of the 123 seats required for a clear majority. Although the NDA as a whole holds around 125 seats, supported additionally by six nominated members, the precariousness of numbers becomes apparent in the frequent absenteeism and strategic voting patterns typical of the upper house.

The unpredictability in the Rajya Sabha stems largely from the diverse composition of the NDA itself. Coalition politics requires constant negotiations, given the varying regional interests represented within the alliance. Parties such as the Janata Dal (United), or JD(U), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and the Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S), have historically demonstrated independent or strategic voting behaviour. While they may generally align with the BJP’s broader agenda, their positions can fluctuate considerably based on regional dynamics, constituency pressures, or the specifics of the legislation at hand.

Moreover, unlike the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha’s membership is not directly elected by the general public, making MPs less bound to the national party agenda and more responsive to state-level political calculations.

Attendance further complicates matters. Full attendance in parliamentary sessions is exceedingly rare. MPs face constraints such as illness, legal issues, travel obligations, or sometimes deliberate political absences. The Rajya Sabha’s slim NDA majority means that even minor absenteeism or defections can quickly derail legislation, particularly when the proposed measures are controversial or politically sensitive.

Regarding nominated members, though aligned largely with the government’s positions, they are not formally bound by party whips. Their support, while probable, is never guaranteed. This uncertainty complicates the government’s arithmetic in the Rajya Sabha.

During the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024), the BJP enjoyed a stronger position in the Lok Sabha with 303 seats, ensuring smoother passage of legislation in the lower house without external support. However, the party faced challenges in the Rajya Sabha, where its strength had dropped to 86 seats, with the NDA holding 101 seats—below the majority mark of 113 in the 245-member house.

Currently, the BJP and NDA must regularly engage in intensive back-channel diplomacy, issue-based negotiations and political concessions to secure legislative victories in the Rajya Sabha.