Bihar Assembly Hosts Voting for Rajya Sabha Seats
Synopsis
The ongoing voting for five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar has attracted significant political attention. With both NDA and Mahagathbandhan leaders actively participating, the atmosphere is charged as candidates vie for crucial seats. The stakes are high, with potential implications for Bihar's political landscape.
Key Takeaways
Voting for five Rajya Sabha seats is currently underway in Bihar.
Both NDA and Mahagathbandhan leaders are actively participating in the election.
The election has six candidates contesting for five seats.
Significance of every vote has increased due to the competitive nature of the election.
Political tensions are high as both alliances claim victory.
Patna, March 16 (NationPress) The voting process for the five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar commenced at the Assembly on Monday, with prominent figures from both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposing Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) arriving to participate in the election.
The polling began at 9 a.m. and is scheduled to conclude at 4 p.m., followed by the counting of votes at 5 p.m. The announcement of the final results is anticipated soon thereafter.
Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition, exercised his voting right and launched a vigorous critique against Nitish Kumar and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He claimed that since Nitish Kumar departed from the INDIA alliance in 2024 to rejoin the NDA, the BJP has been scheming against him politically.
"The BJP has manipulated Nitish Kumar to oust him from the Chief Minister’s position. This scenario will mirror the situation with Eknath Shinde post-Maharashtra elections. In the near future, the BJP aims to dismantle the Janata Dal-United," he asserted.
Conversely, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary arrived at the Assembly signaling confidence by flashing a victory sign, indicating a strong belief within the ruling coalition.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha expressed that the elected representatives to the Rajya Sabha would amplify Bihar’s voice nationally and advocate for the state's progress.
Meanwhile, senior JD-U leader Vijay Chaudhary voiced optimism that all five NDA candidates would secure their positions with ease.
Several senior leaders and MLAs from the NDA were among the first to cast their votes.
RJD MLA Anita Devi also participated in the voting.
The Assembly Speaker, Prem Kumar, was present at the venue to oversee the voting proceedings.
This election has garnered significant political attention, as six candidates are vying for five available seats.
To achieve victory, a candidate needs to secure at least 41 first-preference votes.
If this benchmark isn't met, second-preference votes will be counted to identify the winner.
This situation has heightened the significance of each vote and intensified speculation regarding political strategies.
The NDA has nominated five candidates: Nitish Kumar and Ram Nath Thakur (JD-U), Nitin Nabin and Shivesh Kumar (BJP), along with Upendra Kushwaha (RLM).
The opposition Mahagathbandhan has positioned Amarendra Dhari Singh as its candidate.
In the midst of this political contest, reports of two Congress MLAs being unreachable initially stirred tension within the opposition ranks.
However, RJD leader Chandrashekhar Singh allayed concerns, affirming that the Grand Alliance is contesting the election with complete strength and assurance.
With both the ruling alliance and the opposition declaring confidence in their victory, the political atmosphere in Bihar remains highly charged.
Point of View
The political dynamics between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan become increasingly evident. Both sides are claiming confidence in their chances, while the stakes for Bihar's representation at the national level are particularly high.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar?
The Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar are crucial as they determine the state's representation in the upper house of Parliament, impacting legislative decisions and national policies.
Who are the main contenders in this election?
The NDA has put forward five candidates, including Nitish Kumar and Ram Nath Thakur, while the Mahagathbandhan's candidate is Amarendra Dhari Singh.
When will the results of the election be announced?
The counting of votes will take place at 5 p.m. on the same day, with the final results expected to be declared shortly thereafter.
What are the voting hours for this election?
Voting began at 9 a.m. and will continue until 4 p.m.
What happens if a candidate does not receive enough first-preference votes?
If a candidate does not secure 41 first-preference votes, the counting of second-preference votes will commence to determine the winner.
