Political activity in Bihar has intensified ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for March 16. Union Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi has formally requested one Rajya Sabha seat for his party, while manjhi reminded the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of a commitment he claims was made during the alliance negotiations prior to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Manjhi Cites Pre-Poll Agreement with BJP
Speaking to reporters in Gaya, Jitan Ram Manjhi stated that his party deserves representation in the Upper House. According to Manjhi, the BJP top leadership had promised him two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat before the 2024 general elections. He noted that while his party received only one Lok Sabha seat, which they won for the NDA, the promise regarding the Rajya Sabha seat remains unfulfilled. He emphasized that this is a legitimate expectation based on prior discussions.
Schedule for Rajya Sabha Elections in Bihar
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar. The deadline for filing nominations is March 5, with the scrutiny of nomination papers set for March 6. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until March 9. The polling is scheduled to take place on March 16, and the results will be declared on the same day.
Details of Vacant Seats and Outgoing Members
Out of the 16 Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, five will become vacant in April. The outgoing members include Harivansh Narayan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur from the JDU, Prem Chand Gupta and Amarendra Dhari Singh from the RJD, and Upendra Kushwaha from the RLM. Kushwaha, a former Union Minister, had reached the Upper House with the support of the BJP. Currently, the ruling NDA holds three of these five seats.
Legislative Assembly Strength and Voting Requirements
The outcome of the Rajya Sabha elections depends on the support of the members of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, while in the 243-member house, a specific number of votes is required for a candidate to be elected. Currently, the opposition Mahagathbandhan, comprising the RJD, Congress, and Left parties, holds only 35 seats. This figure is six short of the minimum quota required to secure a single Rajya Sabha seat independently.
Current Political Positioning of NDA and Opposition
The NDA has not yet officially announced its candidates for the upcoming polls. Jitan Ram Manjhi's demand has introduced a new dimension to the seat-sharing discussions within the alliance. Meanwhile, the opposition Mahagathbandhan may need to rely on support from parties like AIMIM and BSP to secure a seat. The RJD, with only 25 MLAs, lacks the necessary strength to retain its seats without external support.