Rajya Sabha election result 2018: BJP now largest party in the Upper House

In Uttar Pradesh, BJP's decision to field an extra candidate has transformed the routine election into a prestige contest with the SP and the Congress backing the BSP

The BJP is set to consolidate its position as the largest party in the Rajya Sabha as the results of biennial elections to 58 seats in the House have widened the gap between it and the Congress, even though a majority will continue to elude the ruling NDA.

The BJP has won 18 seats and the Congress 9 with results of the 10 Uttar Pradesh and two Jharkhand seats yet to be announced. The saffron party's strong majority in the UP assembly will result in its win in at least eight seats and it is banking on support of independents