LJP (Ram Vilas) fields Ashraf Ansari for Bihar MLC polls; Deepak Prakash snub jolts RLM
Synopsis
With LJP (Ram Vilas) naming Ashraf Ansari, the NDA has locked in its full Bihar MLC slate — but the real story is who didn't make the list. Panchayati Raj Minister Deepak Prakash's exclusion leaves him racing against a constitutional clock: under Article 164(4), he must secure legislative membership within six months or lose his ministerial post.
Key Takeaways
LJP (Ram Vilas) named Ashraf Ansari as its Bihar MLC candidate on 6 June , completing the NDA's full slate.
BJP has fielded Pawan Singh , Sanjay Mayukh , Anil Kumar Thakur , and Sheila Pandit ; JD(U) has named Nishant Kumar , Bharti Mehta , Shivrani Prajapati , and Lalan Prasad .
The NDA is seen as strongly positioned to win 9 of 10 available Legislative Council seats.
Panchayati Raj Minister Deepak Prakash of Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) was excluded from the NDA's candidate list.
Under Article 164(4) of the Constitution, Prakash must become a member of the Bihar legislature within six months of assuming office or vacate his ministerial post.
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on 6 June named Ashraf Ansari as its candidate for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Council elections, completing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s full slate of nominees for the polls. The announcement, made on the directions of party National President and Union Minister Chirag Paswan, means every seat allocated to the NDA now has an officially declared candidate.
NDA's Complete Candidate List
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Pawan Singh, Sanjay Mayukh, Anil Kumar Thakur, and Sheila Pandit. The Janata Dal (United) has named Nishant Kumar, Bharti Mehta, Shivrani Prajapati, and Lalan Prasad (for a by-election seat). LJP (Ram Vilas) rounds out the alliance's lineup with Ansari's nomination.
Political observers note that, based on the NDA's current numerical strength in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the alliance is strongly positioned to win nine of the ten available Legislative Council seats.
The Deepak Prakash Question
The finalisation of the NDA list has sharply intensified scrutiny over Panchayati Raj Minister Deepak Prakash, whose name is conspicuously absent from any of the alliance's nominations. Prakash currently holds a cabinet post in the Bihar government but is a member of neither the Legislative Assembly nor the Legislative Council.
Under Article 164(4) of the Constitution of India, a minister who is not a member of the state legislature must secure election or nomination to either House within six months of assuming office — failing which, the minister must vacate office. The Legislative Council election had widely been seen as his most viable route to fulfilling that constitutional obligation.
Setback for Rashtriya Lok Morcha
Prakash's exclusion is being read in political circles as a significant setback for both him personally and for the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), led by Upendra Kushwaha. The party had reportedly expected the alliance to accommodate Prakash given his ministerial position and the constitutional deadline he faces.
With the NDA having closed its candidate selection, observers are now closely watching how the alliance — and the Bihar government — addresses the constitutional requirement surrounding Prakash's continuation in the Council of Ministers. His position as minister could come under question if he fails to secure legislative membership through an alternative route.
What Comes Next
The completion of candidate declarations has largely crystallised the NDA's electoral strategy for the Bihar MLC polls. Whether the alliance finds a workaround for Prakash — through a nomination or a future by-election — or whether his ministerial tenure faces a constitutional challenge, remains the central political subplot heading into the vote.
Point of View
And the Bihar MLC election was the obvious fix. With that window now effectively closed for Prakash within the NDA framework, either the alliance finds an unconventional workaround or a sitting cabinet minister faces a forced exit. Either outcome signals friction inside the NDA that its public unity messaging has so far obscured.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has LJP (Ram Vilas) fielded for the Bihar Legislative Council elections?
LJP (Ram Vilas) has named Ashraf Ansari as its candidate for the Bihar MLC elections, acting on directions from party National President and Union Minister Chirag Paswan. This completes the NDA's full list of declared candidates for the polls.
What is the constitutional issue surrounding Deepak Prakash?
Under Article 164(4) of the Constitution of India, a state minister who is not a member of either House of the legislature must secure election or nomination within six months of taking office, or vacate the ministerial post. Deepak Prakash is currently a Panchayati Raj Minister in Bihar but holds no seat in the Legislative Assembly or the Legislative Council.
Why is Deepak Prakash's exclusion seen as a setback for Rashtriya Lok Morcha?
The Bihar MLC election was widely viewed as the most practical opportunity for Prakash to fulfil his constitutional requirement of obtaining legislative membership. His absence from the NDA's finalised candidate list suggests the alliance did not accommodate RLM's expectation, weakening Upendra Kushwaha's party's leverage within the coalition.
How many Bihar MLC seats is the NDA expected to win?
Political observers believe the NDA, based on its current numerical strength in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, is strongly positioned to secure nine of the ten available Legislative Council seats.
Who are the BJP and JD(U) candidates for the Bihar MLC elections?
BJP has fielded Pawan Singh, Sanjay Mayukh, Anil Kumar Thakur, and Sheila Pandit. JD(U) has named Nishant Kumar, Bharti Mehta, Shivrani Prajapati, and Lalan Prasad, the last of whom is contesting a by-election seat.
