45 new Rajya Sabha members take oath

BJP’S INDU GOSWAMI (HIMACHAL) AND CONG’S DEEPENDER HOODA (HARYANA) AMONG THOSE WHO TOOK OATH

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday administered the oath of office to 45 of 61 newly elected members at the first such ceremony in the Upper House’s chambers during inter-session amid the Covid pandemic.

The remaining lawmakers will be administered the oath at a later date.

Eighteen Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, including Jyotiraditya Scindia, were among those who took oath.

The BJP’S strength in the

House has gone up from 75 to 85 even though it is still short of a majority in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress has 40 members in the Upper House.

Naidu said the new members should reflect on their role and responsibility