RJD fields Sunil Kumar Singh for Bihar MLC polls, victory near-certain
Synopsis
The RJD's Bihar MLC nomination drama ended without a surprise — Sunil Kumar Singh, Rabri Devi's reported foster brother and the party's most combative Upper House voice, filed his papers on the last day. With the arithmetic firmly in his favour, his second term looks assured, but the real story is what his reinstatement says about loyalty politics inside the Lalu family circle.
Key Takeaways
Sunil Kumar Singh filed his nomination for the Bihar MLC elections on 8 June , the final day of the process.
A candidate needs 25 votes to win; RJD's MLA strength gives the party at least one assured seat .
Singh was reportedly chosen over senior leader Shivchandra Ram after an internal contest for the RJD ticket.
He was first elected to the Bihar Legislative Council in 2020 and is considered a close associate of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi .
Singh was previously disqualified for allegedly mimicking CM Nitish Kumar in the House, but had his membership restored after court relief.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) senior leader Sunil Kumar Singh filed his nomination for the Bihar Legislative Council (MLC) elections on Monday, 8 June, the final day of the nomination process, cementing his place as the party's candidate for the Upper House. Based on the RJD's current strength in the Bihar Assembly, Singh's return to the Legislative Council for a second consecutive term is considered a near-certainty.
How the Nomination Unfolded
According to party sources, Sunil Singh had emerged as the frontrunner well before any official announcement, and was reportedly asked to keep his nomination documents ready in advance. The contest for the RJD ticket was reportedly between Singh and senior party leader Shivchandra Ram, but the party leadership ultimately decided to back Singh once again.
Speaking to the media after filing his papers, Singh said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve and expressed confidence about securing victory.
The Numbers Behind the Certainty
A candidate requires 25 votes to win a seat in the Bihar Legislative Council polls. Based on the RJD's current MLA count in the Bihar Assembly, the party is widely assessed to have at least one assured seat in this round of elections, making Singh's path to the Upper House straightforward.
Who Is Sunil Kumar Singh
Sunil Kumar Singh is regarded as one of the closest associates of the family of RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi. He is often referred to as Rabri Devi's foster brother. He was first elected to the Legislative Council in 2020 after being fielded by the party leadership.
Singh is known for his outspoken style in the Council and has frequently made headlines for sharp exchanges with members of the ruling alliance. His assertive interventions have also drawn controversy — he was once disqualified from the Council following allegations that he had mimicked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during House proceedings. He subsequently approached the court, secured relief, and had his membership restored.
What This Signals for the RJD
The decision to re-field Singh underscores the RJD leadership's confidence in a loyalist who has consistently delivered vocal opposition inside the Council. This comes amid the party's broader effort to maintain a combative presence in the Upper House even as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) holds a commanding majority in the Bihar Assembly. With nominations now closed, all eyes turn to the polling date and whether the arithmetic plays out as expected.
Point of View
Even at personal cost, as his disqualification episode demonstrated. That the party reportedly had to choose between him and Shivchandra Ram suggests some internal churn, but the final call reaffirms that proximity to the Lalu-Rabri family circle remains the decisive currency in RJD ticket politics. Whether Singh can translate Council combativeness into tangible legislative outcomes for the opposition is a question Bihar's political watchers will be watching closely.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the RJD's candidate for the Bihar MLC elections?
The RJD has fielded senior leader Sunil Kumar Singh for the Bihar Legislative Council elections. He filed his nomination on 8 June, the final day of the process, and is contesting for a second consecutive term.
How many votes are needed to win a Bihar MLC seat?
A candidate requires 25 votes to secure victory in the Bihar Legislative Council polls. Based on the RJD's current MLA strength in the Bihar Assembly, the party is assessed to have at least one assured seat in this election.
What is Sunil Kumar Singh's relationship with the RJD leadership?
Sunil Kumar Singh is regarded as one of the closest associates of RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, and is often referred to as Rabri Devi's foster brother. He was first elected to the Legislative Council in 2020 on a party ticket.
Was Sunil Kumar Singh ever disqualified from the Bihar Legislative Council?
Yes, Sunil Kumar Singh was once disqualified from the Council following allegations that he had mimicked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during House proceedings. He subsequently approached the court, secured relief, and had his membership restored.
Who else was in contention for the RJD's Bihar MLC nomination?
The contest for the RJD nomination was reportedly between Sunil Kumar Singh and senior party leader Shivchandra Ram. The party leadership ultimately decided to back Sunil Kumar Singh.
