Bihar MLC elections: All 10 candidates elected unopposed, Nishant Kumar gets certificate
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
All ten candidates who filed nominations for the Bihar Legislative Council elections — covering nine vacant seats and one by-election seat — were declared elected unopposed on Thursday, 11 June, as no additional nominees entered the contest. The walkover reflects the overwhelming numerical dominance of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the mathematical limits of opposition strength in the state Legislative Assembly.
Who Was Elected and on Which Ticket
The NDA fielded candidates for nine of the ten seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominated Bhojpuri actor-singer Pawan Singh, Sanjay Mayukh, Anil Kumar Thakur, and Sheila Pandit. The Janata Dal-United (JD-U) fielded Nishant Kumar, Bharti Mehta, Shivrani Devi Prajapati, and Lalan Prasad. On the opposition side, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) fielded Sunil Kumar Singh, while Ashraf Ansari contested on behalf of the Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas (LJP-RV). Certificates of election were distributed to all newly elected members on the same day.
Nishant Kumar's Entry Draws Political Attention
Nishant Kumar, son of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has drawn particular scrutiny as one of the newly elected MLCs. His transition into active legislative politics is widely seen as a significant step within the JD-U and a signal of possible generational succession in Bihar's political order. Speaking to reporters after receiving his certificate, Nishant Kumar said: 'It is my privilege to sit in the same House where my father has served. I will work to fulfill his dream of building a developed and prosperous Bihar.'
Senior JD-U leader Shravan Kumar welcomed the development and described Nishant Kumar as 'the future face of the party,' adding: 'Nishant Kumar represents our future and will emerge as a role model. We will take every necessary step to strengthen his political journey.'
JD-U Hits Back at Tejashwi Yadav's Remarks
The elections also sparked a political exchange after Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav reportedly questioned Nishant Kumar's educational qualifications. Shravan Kumar responded sharply, drawing a parallel with past criticism of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar: 'He used to question Nitish Kumar continuously as well, and eventually his party was reduced to 25 seats. If he continues questioning Nishant Kumar, they may be reduced further.'
RJD's Sunil Kumar Singh Dedicates Win to Lalu Prasad
RJD's newly elected MLC Sunil Kumar Singh dedicated his election certificate to party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, noting that 11 June coincides with Lalu Prasad's birthday. 'Today is Lalu Prasad's birthday, and I dedicate this certificate at his feet,' Singh told reporters, pledging that the RJD's flag would never bow in the House. He also pushed back on the opposition's reduced headcount: 'Even if we are only 25 members, we will outweigh your 65.'
Deepak Prakash Exclusion Triggers NDA Speculation
The elections have also ignited discussion over the NDA's decision to leave out Deepak Prakash, son of Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief and Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, from the candidate list. His omission has fuelled speculation about his ministerial future and standing within the alliance. Political observers note that the unopposed outcome, while procedurally routine given the arithmetic, carries deeper signals about generational transitions shaping Bihar's political landscape ahead of future electoral cycles.