In Bihar’s unfolding Rajya Sabha elections, all eyes are on the fifth seat where opposition maneuvering could upset NDA’s applecart. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is crafting a clever ploy, positioning Hina Shahab – wife of the notorious former MP Shahabuddin – to consolidate Muslim votes, particularly from AIMIM’s five legislators.
This calculated move seeks to resolve AIMIM’s internal dilemma, making it politically untenable for their MLAs to withhold support from a Muslim woman candidate with deep community roots. Shahabuddin’s longstanding ties to Owaisi family bolster RJD’s pitch, transforming personal legacies into electoral leverage.
Breaking down the math: Each Rajya Sabha seat requires 41 MLA votes. NDA’s alliance commands enough for four straightforward wins but needs three more for a clean sweep. Opposition musters exactly 41, with AIMIM’s all-Muslim bloc holding the balance. RJD hasn’t formally declared Hina Shahab yet, but party mouthpieces are ramping up advocacy.
NDA counters by courting BSP and IIP independents, expressing quiet confidence. AIMIM stays enigmatic, its leader dodging commitments. The March 16 polls will see simultaneous voting and counting, amplifying the tension.
Retiring senators include JD-U’s duo, RJD’s pair, and RLM’s Kushwaha. Intra-alliance frictions within NDA over seat allocation persist, while RJD-Congress talks intensify. As AIMIM emerges as the X-factor, this contest highlights how micro-alliances and identity politics shape national legislature in India’s federal mosaic.