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

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.

Party-wise strength