After the formation of the new Lok Sabha, the scenario in both Houses is expected to change in the upcoming Parliament session, with a substantial increase in the number of new and young faces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing a new team for the BJP, members of which will be fielded from a significant number of Lok Sabha seats. Indications are that the current session may be the last term for more than half of BJP MPs. New faces may be introduced in their place in Parliament next time.
In the states that comprise the Hindi belt, Prime Minister Modi is expected to make significant changes by conducting surprising experiments. States like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, and Delhi could see the majority of MPs from these states being replaced. Many MPs who became ministers from these states in the Central government are expected to be replaced by new faces in the Lok Sabha elections.
According to sources, it has been tentatively decided which ministers will be given leave and who will be retained. The top 10 to 12 ministers currently face no major issues. Some ministers who are currently members of the Rajya Sabha might contest in the Lok Sabha elections.
As a result, the scenario in the Rajya Sabha is also expected to change in the next session along with the Lok Sabha. After the budget session, the next Parliament session will resume in the newly formed 18th Lok Sabha. Sources suggest that Prime Minister Modi is in the mood to give opportunities to new faces in the Rajya Sabha as well.
In this month, on 27 February, elections will be held for 56 seats in the Rajya Sabha. The term of retiring members will last until April. Similarly, some seats will be vacated in July. The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled for April. The decision on which members will contest in the Lok Sabha elections will be made by the BJP. The party has started the process of deciding where and how to contest.
In the BJP, there is a dilemma regarding Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, on whether they would contest from Odisha. Although the party hopes that the Ram Temple issue will also work in Odisha, it remains to be seen where both ministers will contest from if they decide to participate. Rail Minister Vaishnaw could also contest from his home state of Rajasthan. Jaipur city is being considered for his candidacy.
Some BJP members, including Central Minister Meenakshi Lekhi, are facing difficulty in getting tickets from Delhi. The changes in the Rajya Sabha will be known by 15 February, as all parties must declare their names by then. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from Congress will not be seen in Parliament, as his term is ending in April. The Congress will not give him a ticket because of age and health reasons.
Similarly, there is doubt about the return of Jaya Bachchan to the Rajya Sabha. The Samajwadi Party might send someone else to the Upper House in her place.