RS tally hits 102 as 3 nominated MPs join BJP

New Delhi: Ahead of the vice-presidential polls, three nominated Rajya Sabha MPs have joined the BJP, taking the party's tally in the Upper House to 102. This is the first time since April 2022 that the ruling BJP's strength has crossed the 100-mark in the Rajya Sabha - and it comes just ahead of the vice-presidential election scheduled for September 9. Top lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and social worker C. Sadanandan Master, who took oath as nominated MPs last month, joined the BJP this week. The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum strength of 250 members, including 12 nominated members. The current strength stands at 245. Out of the 12 nominated MPs, five have now joined the BJP.