NDA Poised to Secure All Five Rajya Sabha Seats from Bihar as Candidate Discussions Reach Final Stage
In Patna, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is in the advanced stages of finalizing candidates for the five Rajya Sabha seats set to become vacant from Bihar, with the election scheduled for March 16. Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan asserted on Monday that all five Members of Parliament elected from the state will hail from the NDA coalition, highlighting the alliance's numerical strength and unity.
Internal Dynamics and Candidate Claims Within NDA
The LJP(RV), with its 19 MLAs, is actively seeking a Rajya Sabha nomination, adding to the internal negotiations. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra Kushwaha, whose current Rajya Sabha term is expiring, is expected to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi. Sources indicate that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might propose a merger of his party in exchange for his re-election to the Upper House.
HAM(S) national president and minister in the Nitish Kumar cabinet, Santosh Kumar Suman, stated that the NDA is likely to achieve a consensus on the five candidates by Tuesday. "The NDA remains intact, and we possess the requisite numbers to secure all five seats," he affirmed, underscoring the coalition's confidence.
Adding to the claimant list, HAM(S) founder and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has clarified that the BJP leadership had previously promised him a Rajya Sabha seat, further intensifying the discussions within the alliance.
Chirag Paswan's Confidence and Challenge to Opposition
Speaking at a Holi gathering at his party's state office, Chirag Paswan exuded confidence in the NDA's numerical advantage. He directly challenged Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) national working president Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, daring him to contest. "If Tejashwi becomes a candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections, he will face defeat once again," Paswan declared, referencing past electoral setbacks.
RJD's Strategic Dilemma and Opposition Alliances
On the opposition front, RJD MLAs have authorized party chief Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav to select a candidate for the election. To win a Rajya Sabha seat from Bihar, a candidate requires the support of 41 MLAs. The RJD, with 25 MLAs, and its allies—Congress, Left parties, and Saharsa MLA I P Gupta—collectively hold 35 seats, falling short of the threshold.
Amid speculation that Tejashwi might consider fielding himself, RJD sources have ruled out this possibility due to the numbers gap. The Mahagathbandhan, with 35 MLAs, would need absolute support from the five AIMIM and one BSP members to secure a win, a scenario deemed uncertain.
Nevertheless, the RJD is keen to contest at least one seat and is evaluating options between outgoing MPs Amrendra Dhari Singh and Lalu loyalist Prem Chand Gupta.
AIMIM's Stance and Secular Representation
AIMIM state chief and MLA Akhtarul Iman, who recently met Tejashwi, reiterated on Monday that no decision has been made to support the RJD. He emphasized that his party intends to field its own candidate, advocating for representation of dalits, backward classes, and minorities in the Upper House. "One side has 38 MLAs, another has 35. I told Tejashwi that we are fighting for secularism and should be given an opportunity," Iman stated, highlighting the competitive landscape.
NDA's Numerical Edge and Path Forward
In the NDA camp, the BJP and JD(U) each have sufficient numbers to secure two seats independently. With a total of 202 MLAs, the alliance requires only three additional votes to clinch the fifth seat, positioning it strongly for a clean sweep. As discussions continue, the political focus remains on finalizing candidates and leveraging alliances to maximize gains in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
