The ruling alliance in Bihar secured a decisive victory in the latest Rajya Sabha elections, with all five seats in the state going to candidates from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Among the prominent winners were Bihar’s longest-serving chief minister, Nitish Kumar, and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nitin Nabin, marking a significant political development in the state.
The results underline the NDA’s strong position in the Bihar Assembly and come at a time when political dynamics in the state are undergoing important shifts.
Nitish Kumar Moves to the Rajya Sabha
Nitish Kumar’s victory carries particular significance, as the veteran leader had earlier indicated that he plans to step down as Bihar’s chief minister following his election to the Rajya Sabha.
If he resigns from the top post, it could lead to a major leadership transition in the state government.
Nitish Kumar has served multiple terms as chief minister and is widely regarded as one of Bihar’s most influential political figures.
His move to the Rajya Sabha signals a possible shift toward a larger national role within the NDA coalition.
Five NDA Candidates Secure Seats
All five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar were won by candidates backed by the National Democratic Alliance.
Along with Nitish Kumar and Nitin Nabin, Union minister Ram Nath Thakur and Upendra Kushwaha, chief of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha, successfully retained their seats in the Upper House.
Another BJP candidate, Shivesh Kumar, made his debut in the Rajya Sabha after winning the election.
The results highlight the NDA’s dominance in the state legislature, which played a crucial role in the outcome.
Strategic Voting Helped the Alliance
The NDA’s victory was aided by careful planning, especially for the crucial fifth seat.
All 202 legislators from the NDA camp reportedly cast their votes well before polling ended. Meanwhile, several opposition members were absent during the voting process.
According to reports, four opposition MLAs — three from the Indian National Congress and one from the Rashtriya Janata Dal — did not participate in the vote.
Their absence significantly reduced the opposition’s effective strength in the assembly.
As a result, second-preference votes became decisive in determining the final outcome, giving the NDA a clear advantage.
NDA Leaders Credit Strategy and Unity
Following the victory, leaders of the ruling alliance credited strategic planning and internal coordination for the clean sweep.
Sanjay Kumar Jha, working president of the Janata Dal (United), said the alliance had anticipated the importance of second-preference votes.
“We knew that if the numbers fell below the required threshold, second preference votes would play a crucial role,” he said, praising the alliance’s preparation.
He added that Rajya Sabha elections require both strong numbers and careful political understanding.
Jha also criticised the opposition, saying its leaders struggled to keep their legislators united during the vote.
Opposition Divisions Highlighted
Other NDA leaders also pointed to divisions among opposition parties.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary thanked all alliance MLAs for participating in the voting process and emphasised the importance of the coalition’s majority in the 243-member state assembly.
Meanwhile, Chirag Paswan, chief of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), suggested that the opposition should reflect on its own internal issues.
“They should find out why their MLAs did not turn up,” Paswan said while commenting on the election results.
Rajya Sabha Elections Held in Three States
The Rajya Sabha elections were conducted for a total of 11 seats across three states — Bihar, Odisha and Haryana.
While the results from other states varied, Bihar’s outcome stood out due to the NDA’s complete sweep of all available seats.
The victory reinforces the ruling alliance’s influence in the state and could have broader political implications in the months ahead, particularly if Nitish Kumar steps down as chief minister and the leadership structure in Bihar changes.
For now, the NDA’s performance in the Rajya Sabha elections signals a strong organisational grip and disciplined legislative support within the state.
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