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

The political race has begun in Bihar for the five Rajya Sabha seats that will go to polls on March 16. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) can win four seats on its own with a total strength of 202 MLAs. However, the Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)’s decision to contest challenges 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.

Three of the five MPs who completed their term on April 9 are from the NDA; Harivansh Narayan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur of 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 to apply for candidacy for the elections is March 5.

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

Power based on party

In the 2025 Assembly elections, NDA won 202 seats, RJD won 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 India Inclusive Party won one seat each. In order for a candidate to take a seat in the Upper House of Parliament, the support of 41 MPs in the 243-member Parliament is required.

NDA is yet to announce any of its candidates. According to buzz in the state’s political circles, the JD(U) is unlikely to re-nominate Mr. Harivansh, while Mr. Thakur, who belongs to the Extremely Backward Class, may seek another term.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar is expected to be nominated for the second seat following clamor from many JD(U) leaders for him to enter politics. For the third seat, Bhojpuri actor Pawan Singh, who joined the BJP in October 2025, may be announced as the candidate to replace Mr Kushwaha, who is hoping to be re-nominated.

Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also staked claim for a seat. Last week, he told media persons in Patna that the BJP had promised his party, which is part of the NDA, a Rajya Sabha seat ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

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

Meanwhile, the RJD is likely to re-nominate Mr Gupta, but will nominate Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav as the candidate to replace Mr Amarendra.

While the opposition party is likely to get the support of Mahagathbandhan allies such as Congress and Left parties, their combined figure still remains below the minimum required to win a Rajya Sabha seat.

RJD hopes AIMIM and BSP will increase support. However, AIMIM State president Akhtarul Iman hinted that his party will field its own candidate for the polls.

RJD leaders refused to announce their candidates and reiterated that the competent leadership will take appropriate decision. At a party meeting held at Mr. Yadav’s residence on Sunday, senior party leaders authorized him and party chief Lalu Prasad to take a final call on election candidates. “This will be decided by the senior leadership of the party,” party spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said.