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

The battle for Bihar's Rajya Sabha seats intensifies as RJD enters the race, challenging NDA's dominance amid political alliances.

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.

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.