The Rajya Sabha elections for five seats in Bihar have taken a dramatic turn as four legislators from the opposition camp remained unreachable during the voting process. According to official reports, 239 MLAs have cast their votes so far. While the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has ensured that all its members participated in the polling, the absence of three Congress MLAs and one Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA has triggered intense speculation regarding the final outcome of the fifth seat.
Details of the Missing Legislators
The absence of key opposition members has raised questions about internal stability within the Mahagathbandhan. The missing legislators include Congress MLAs Surendra Kushwaha from Valmiki Nagar, Manoj Vishwas from Forbesganj, and Manohar Singh from Manihari. On top of that, RJD MLA Faisal Rahman from Dhaka has also not reported for voting. Reports indicate that the mobile phones of these four individuals are currently switched off, making it difficult for party whips to establish contact. If these members fail to arrive before the 4:00 PM deadline, the NDA's path to securing all five seats could become Importantly easier.
Cross-Voting Concerns and HAM MLAs
Adding to the political complexity, two female legislators from Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) were spotted with the Leader of the Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav. The MLAs were seen exiting a meeting room alongside Mahagathbandhan candidate Amarendra Dhari and representatives from the AIMIM. This development has fueled rumors of potential cross-voting in favor of the RJD-led alliance, while while the HAM leadership maintains that its members remain loyal to the NDA, the visual of their interaction with the opposition has created a sense of uncertainty in the treasury benches.
The Arithmetic of the Fifth Seat
The Bihar Rajya Sabha contest features six candidates vying for five available seats, while the NDA currently holds a numerical strength of 202 MLAs, while the Mahagathbandhan officially counts 35 members in its ranks. Based on the required quota for victory, the NDA is comfortably positioned to win four seats. However, the fifth seat remains the primary point of contention. The NDA requires the support of at least 3 additional MLAs to secure the final spot. Conversely, Tejashwi Yadav has claimed that with the support of AIMIM and BSP legislators, his alliance has reached a count of 41, which he believes is sufficient for victory.
Anant Singh Arrives via Ambulance
In a notable moment during the polling day, JDU MLA Anant Singh, who is currently in judicial custody, arrived at the Bihar Legislative Assembly in an ambulance to cast his vote. Despite his health condition, Singh participated in the democratic process and expressed confidence in the NDA's performance. Speaking to the media, he stated that the alliance would win all five seats. He also voiced strong personal support for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, remarking that his political future is tied to the Chief Minister's leadership and that he would refrain from contesting future elections if Kumar weren't at the helm.
Claims of Victory from Both Fronts
As the voting deadline approaches, both major political blocs are asserting their dominance. Tejashwi Yadav informed reporters that the opposition is certain of its numbers and that the support from smaller parties has bolstered their position. On the other hand, NDA leaders have dismissed the opposition's claims, pointing toward the absence of Congress and RJD MLAs as a sign of a fractured alliance. The final results, expected after the counting of ballots this evening, will determine whether the strategic maneuvers and the absence of the four legislators have altered the expected political landscape of the state.