Polling for 37 seats of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, is scheduled to take place in about two weeks’ time, and the big question being asked now is, of the three Maha Vikas Aghadi parties—the Congress, the NCP (SP), and the Shiv Sena (UBT)—who is entitled to get the lone Rajya Sabha seat?

There is hectic activity within the MVA to secure the seat, as Uddhav Thackeray has specifically said that he wants it, while the Congress party from New Delhi has staked its claim over it, saying they would compensate the Shiv Sena (UBT) in some way were they to give up their claim. There is much tussle and bargaining going on between the MVA partners, and many are asking whether this will eventually put stress on the unity of the alliance.

The Rajya Sabha elections are scheduled on March 16, 2026. Rajya Sabha has a total of 245 seats, making it arguably a sizeable number in the overall strength of the House. This year, the Rajya Sabha polls will happen in three phases—on March 16, for 37 seats; on June 24, for 24 seats; and on November 11, for 11 seats. Clearly, the March 16 polls are the largest of the lot.

The MVA is sure to win one seat in........

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