Bihar Rajya Sabha Battle: Political Heat Rises as Five Seats Go Up For Grabs

Patna: Political turmoil has already started in Bihar regarding the Rajya Sabha elections to be held in April next year. This time, the five members whose tenure is ending include RJD's Premchand Gupta and AD Singh, JDU's Harivansh and Ramnath Thakur, and RLM's Upendra Kushwaha. The names and equations of new contenders for these seats have already started.

Who has the winning figures?

To win a Rajya Sabha seat, any candidate needs the support of a minimum of 41 MLAs. NDA has 202 MLAs in the current assembly, which means the alliance can comfortably retain four seats. The real stakes are on the fifth seat, for which NDA will have to collect three more votes from the opposition.

Why is Nitin Nabin the most popular name?

The most talked about person in this race is BJP leader Nitin Nabin. Bankipur MLA and former minister Nabeen has recently been made the national working president of BJP. Party sources say that after the new responsibility, his shift to Delhi is almost certain. He has also been allotted a government bungalow on Sunehri Bagh Road on the lines of ministers and senior leaders of the Central Government. He is likely to settle in the capital after Makar Sankranti.

Why does Upendra Kushwaha's condition appear weak?

For Upendra Kushwaha, this election has come as a challenge rather than a relief. His party with four MLAs cannot do the math on its own. The crushing defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the promised Legislative Council seat remaining incomplete are also adding to the troubles for him. Now he will have to completely depend on NDA for the Rajya Sabha seat.

RLM in Bihar has also indicated that an understanding was reached on this seat during the 2025 assembly elections; now the decision has to be taken by BJP.

Is Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh also in the race?

Bhojpuri actor Pawan Singh's name is also in discussion in the BJP camp. Some party leaders believe that considering the popularity of Pawan Singh, he may get a chance. However, this is just speculation as of now, no official indication has been received from the party.

Will JDU send both its leaders again?

Current JDU members Harivansh and Ramnath Thakur are considered very close to the party and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Although Nitish Kumar does not send most of the leaders to Rajya Sabha for more than two terms, this time there is scope for exception considering their experience and institutional role.

Can there be trouble regarding Chirag Paswan?

The biggest problem for the fifth seat is Chirag Paswan. LJP(RV) has 19 MLAs. He wants to send his mother, Reena Paswan, to Rajya Sabha, but the numbers are not enough. If this seat has to be given without the help of the NDA, then the equation may change.

Can the opposition surprise?

The opposition also has a chance. If all the parties in the grand alliance led by Tejashwi Yadav remain united and there is no split, the opposition has exactly 41 votes—enough to win one seat. But this will be possible only if no MLA deviates here and there.

Patna-based political analyst Dhirendra Kumar says, "This election is not just a formal process of Rajya Sabha but a real test of the unity of the opposition and the coordination within the NDA. The slightest mistake, on either side, can change the picture."