The political landscape in Bihar is buzzing with anticipation as elections for five Rajya Sabha seats kick off. Currently, the ruling NDA holds three of these seats, while Lalu Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) controls two. Experts predict NDA could secure four seats comfortably, but the fifth remains a high-stakes contest.
Bihar’s AIMIM has five MLAs, and there’s one BSP legislator in the mix. Whichever alliance—NDA or Mahagathbandhan—gains their support stands to clinch the decisive fifth seat. Two seats belong to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), occupied by Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur, son of ‘Bharat Ratna’ Karpoori Thakur, and Deputy Rajya Sabha Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, both eyeing re-election.
Rumors swirl around Harivansh’s nomination this time, yet JD(U) remains confident of sweeping all five. With two seats locked for JD(U) and two for BJP, the fifth could go to an NDA ally, sparking intense lobbying.
BJP’s national president Nitin Nabin and actor Pawan Singh top the buzz list for BJP tickets. Meanwhile, allies like Jitan Ram Manjhi, Chirag Paswan, and Upendra Kushwaha are vying aggressively. Manjhi claims a pre-poll promise from BJP, Paswan leverages his 19 MLAs, and Kushwaha waits eagerly.
Legislative math plays a crucial role: 41 MLAs needed per seat. NDA’s 202 MLAs secure four seats outright, needing just three more for the fifth—a razor-thin margin. Mahagathbandhan, with 35 MLAs including RJD’s 25, requires six additional votes to defend even one seat, as both RJD incumbents vacate.
Potential candidates include Ram Nath Thakur and Manish Verma for JD(U), Nitin Nabin and Pawan Singh for BJP, with LJP(R) in contention for the fifth. Nominations open February 26, polling March 16, per Election Commission. As alliances scramble for cross votes, Bihar’s Rajya Sabha drama promises fireworks.