How BJP will add at least two MPs to its Rajya Sabha strength

A little-known rule allows nominated members to be counted as party MPs if they are already members of the part at the time of being sworn in

According to the Constitution of India, a nominated MP can opt to join a party within six months of taking oath.

However, a lesser known clause in the 10th Schedule of the Constitution states that a nominated MP, if already a member of a political party, is automatically considered to be a member of that party in the Rajya Sabha.

This means that the MP needs to follow the whip of that party during voting, and also benefits with more opportunities to speak during debates and discussions as s/he can be allocated time from the share of that political party. Normally, nominated MPs get limited opportunities to speak during discussions and that too rarely more than a few minutes.

This means that Subramanian Swamy and Navjot Singh Sidhu, both currently members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will be considered as party MPs after they take oath on Tuesday.

Malayalam actor Suresh Gopi will also opt for the BJP, party sources said. While Narendra Jadhav has said he will remain unattached to a political party, sportswoman M C Mary Kom is also unlikely to join any party. BJP strategists, though, are trying to convince journalist Swapan Dasgupta to join the party’s ranks in the Rajya Sabha.

The toss-up for the seventh vacant seat is between journalist Rajat Sharma and actor Anupam Kher.