NDA Wins All Five Rajya Sabha Seats in Bihar; Opposition Absenteeism Noted
NDA wins all five Bihar Rajya Sabha seats; Nitish Kumar and Nitin Nabin among elected members.
The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) achieved a clean sweep in the Bihar Rajya Sabha elections on Monday, winning all five seats up for grabs. The victory saw prominent leaders, including Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Nitin Nabin, secure seats in the Upper House of Parliament after a keenly contested poll.
Joining them were other NDA candidates: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ram Nath Thakur from JD (U), Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RLJD) president and former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, and former MLA Shivesh Kumar from the BJP. Their wins further consolidate the NDA’s influence in Bihar’s parliamentary representation.
The opposition, however, faced setbacks. While the Mahagathbandhan had fielded businessman Amarendra Dhari Singh as its candidate, hopes of a victory were dashed as several key opposition legislators abstained from voting. Three Congress MLAs—Surendra Prasad Kushwaha (Valmiki Nagar), Manoj Biswas (Forbesganj), and Manohar Prasad Singh (Manihari)—did not cast their votes. Similarly, RJD MLA Faisal Rahman from Dhaka also abstained, significantly impacting the opposition’s prospects.
Also Read: Congress, DMK, SP to Raise Oil Shortage, Airfare Spike and Diaspora Crisis in Parliament
Voting patterns highlighted the NDA’s disciplined approach, with all 202 NDA MLAs casting their votes. In contrast, only 37 of the 41 opposition legislators participated, while the four abstentions remained largely incommunicado during the election process. Ahead of the polls, Mahagathbandhan leaders had lodged their MLAs in a luxury Patna hotel to prevent possible poaching attempts, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the contest.
The five newly elected Rajya Sabha members will replace sitting MPs whose terms are set to expire on April 9. Analysts note that the outcome not only strengthens the NDA’s position in Bihar but also reflects the coalition’s effective internal coordination and the opposition’s inability to unify its ranks amid strategic abstentions.
This clean sweep adds to the NDA’s growing parliamentary clout in the Upper House, signaling continued political stability for the alliance in Bihar as it heads into upcoming national-level discussions and legislative sessions.
Also Read: Voting Underway For 11 Rajya Sabha Seats Across Bihar, Odisha, Haryana
