The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) delivered a masterclass in politics in Bihar on Monday, winning all five seats in the Rajya Sabha election while leaving the opposition in disarray. The victory was aided by the use of second preference votes, as well as the opposition’s own weakness as four of its members, including three from the Congress party and one from the RJD, didn’t turn up to vote.
The five successful candidates include Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is set to make his debut in the Upper House, alongside BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur, Shivesh Kumar, and Upendra Kushwaha. While the NDA’s disciplined voting was completed well ahead of the deadline, the opposition’s count dwindled to 37, making the path to victory far smoother for the NDA’s fifth candidate, Shivesh Kumar, who comfortably surpassed the required threshold during the second-preference count.
The fallout has triggered a bitter war of words. JD(U) leaders pointed out that while the RJD-led alliance managed to secure support from the AIMIM and the BSP, they were unable to "hold on to their own flock." The absence of Congress MLAs Manohar Prasad Singh, Surendra Prasad, and Manoj Biswas has intensified rumours of a deeper rift within the party, with some insiders suggesting the legislators had been waiting for the right moment to distance themselves following the NDA’s landslide assembly victory in 2025. Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram, meanwhile, alleged foul play, suggesting the missing members may have been placed under "house arrest" by the ruling party.
The RJD suffered its own embarrassment when Faisal Rahman, a legislator known to be close to Tejashwi Yadav, stayed away despite frantic attempts to reach him. RJD spokesmen have since decried the result as a product of "money power and intimidation," though the JD(U) hit back, arguing that the opposition’s decision to field a "capitalist" candidate who lacked local ties was what ultimately alienated their own MLAs.
For Nitish Kumar, the move to the Rajya Sabha marks a significant shift in his long political career. Although he is heading to Delhi, party sources indicate he will remain the unanimous choice for the JD(U) presidency, with nominations for the post open until 22 March. With the dust settling on a decisive win, the NDA is celebrating a clean sweep that has effectively silenced the opposition’s attempt to force a contest.
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