In the high-stakes Rajya Sabha polls, a battle for 15 seats spread across Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh. Both Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh witnessed cross-voting by Congress and Samajwadi Party MLAs. In Himachal Pradesh, even as three Independents supporting the Congress voted for the BJP, questions were raised on the future of the Congress government in Himachal. Samajwadi Party floundered with MLAs openly skipping the dinner invitation at Akhilash Yadav, and helping the BJP push through its eighth surprise candidate Sanjay Seth. The BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) coalition could have suffered a jolt in the Rajya Sabha elections as some from within its ranks voted for Congress.
