Race heats up for Bihar’s five RS seats with RJD entry

The political race for five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar that go to the polls on March 16 has begun. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with a combined strength of 202 MLAs, can secure four seats on its own. However, the Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) decision to contest poses a challenge to the ruling alliance’s bid to win all five seats. To secure the fifth seat, the NDA will need the support of three legislators from the Opposition camp.

Of the five lawmakers completing their tenure on April 9, three are from the NDA – Harivansh Narayan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur of the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], and Upendra Kushwaha of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) – and two from the RJD: Prem Chand Gupta and Amarendra Dhari Singh.

The last day for filing nominations for the elections is March 5.

Mr. Harivansh is the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Thakur is the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and son of late Bihar Chief Minister and veteran Socialist leader Karpoori Thakur, while Mr. Kushwaha heads the RLM.

Party-wise strength

In the 2025 Assembly election, the NDA won 202 seats, RJD 25, Congress 6, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) 2, Communist Party of India (Marxist) 1, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) 5, and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Indian Inclusive Party secured one each. A candidate requires the support of 41 MLAs in the 243-member Assembly to secure a seat in the Upper House of Parliament.

The NDA is yet to announce any of its candidates. According to the buzz in the State’ political circles, the JD(U) is unlikely to renominate Mr. Harivansh while Mr. Thakur, who belongs to the Extremely Backward Class, could get another term.

Nishant Kumar, son of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is expected to be nominated for the second seat amid clamour from several JD(U) leaders that he should enter politics. For the third seat, Bhojpuri actor Pawan Singh, who joined the BJP in October 2025, might be declared as the nominee in place of Mr. Kushwaha, who is hoping to be renominated.

Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has also staked claim to one seat. He told mediapersons in Patna last week that the BJP had promised his party, a constituent of the NDA, a Rajya Sabha seat ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

“We were promised two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat. We are confident that the BJP leadership will honour its commitment,” he said.

Meanwhile, the RJD is likely to renominate Mr. Gupta, but name Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav as the candidate in place of Mr. Amarendra.

Though the Opposition party is likely to secure the support of Mahagathbandhan allies like the Congress and the Left parties, their combined tally still falls short of the minimum number required for winning a Rajya Sabha seat.

The RJD is hoping that the AIMIM and BSP will extend support. However, AIMIM State chief Akhtarul Iman has hinted that his party will be fielding its own nominee for the poll.

RJD leaders have declined to disclose their candidates and reiterated that the authorised leadership would take an appropriate decision. In a party meeting held at Mr. Yadav’s residence on Sunday, senior party leaders authorised him and party chief Lalu Prasad to take a final call on the candidates for the poll. “It is for the top party leadership to decide,” party spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said.