Congress Appeals to BJP for Unopposed Rajya Sabha Election of Nitish Kumar
With just two days remaining until the final deadline for withdrawal of nominations in the biennial Rajya Sabha elections, the Congress party made a significant public appeal on Saturday. The party has formally urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to withdraw its third candidate from the electoral contest. This move, according to Congress, would enable Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and four other candidates to be elected to the Upper House of Parliament without facing a contested poll.
NDA's Candidate Lineup and the Political Stalemate
The BJP has officially fielded two candidates for the Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar: its state president, Nitin Nabin, and former MLA Shivesh Ram. Adding to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) camp is a third candidate, Upendra Kushwaha, who serves as the chief of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM). This creates a scenario where the number of candidates exceeds the available seats, potentially forcing an election.
On the other side, the Janata Dal (United) has nominated two prominent figures: incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur. Thakur, a sitting Rajya Sabha member, is seeking a third term in the house. Also in the electoral fray is sitting Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Amarendra Dhari Singh, further complicating the political arithmetic.
Congress's Public Appeal and Allegations of Conspiracy
State Congress media department head Rajesh Rathore articulated the party's position clearly. He called upon the BJP to withdraw the nomination of what he termed its "additional third candidate." Rathore emphasized that this gesture would allow Nitish Kumar to begin what he described as the Chief Minister's "last political innings" in an honorable and dignified manner.
Furthermore, Rathore appealed directly to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting his intervention to ensure the unopposed election of the Chief Minister to the Rajya Sabha. This public plea underscores the high-stakes nature of the political maneuvering in Bihar.
Rathore highlighted a historical precedent, claiming that for the first time in the past twelve years, the fate of candidates in the biennial Rajya Sabha election from Bihar might be decided through actual polling. He elaborated, "Since becoming Chief Minister in 2005, Nitish Kumar has consistently ensured that candidates for the Rajya Sabha and the legislative council were elected unopposed. Despite often having surplus votes at his disposal, he never forced a contest by fielding an additional candidate."
Accusations of a Larger Political Design
The Congress spokesperson did not mince words, alleging a "larger political design" behind the BJP's decision to field a third candidate. Rathore suggested that the move indicates a deliberate "conspiracy" with a two-fold objective: first, to eventually remove Nitish Kumar from the Chief Minister's post, and second, to obstruct his smooth entry into the Rajya Sabha.
These allegations point to underlying tensions within the NDA alliance in Bihar and reflect the complex power dynamics at play as parties position themselves for the upcoming electoral battles.
Key Electoral Dates and Procedures
The last date for withdrawal of nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections is set for March 9. If the necessary withdrawals do not occur and the number of candidates remains higher than the available seats, polling will be conducted on March 16. The current political appeals are focused on avoiding this scenario and securing a consensus-based, unopposed election for the key candidates.
The situation remains fluid, with political observers closely watching for any last-minute developments or negotiations between the major parties that could alter the electoral landscape in Bihar.
