Bihar’s political corridors are buzzing with Upendra Kushwaha’s bold pitch to BJP leadership. The RLM supremo wants a Rajya Sabha seat for himself and an MLC position for son Deepak Prakash, holding late-night parleys with Amit Shah and Nitin Nabin in Delhi. The Monday meeting at Shah’s home reportedly delved into Rajya Sabha strategies, amid Kushwaha’s reluctance to merge his outfit into the BJP fold.
With only four MLAs, RLM’s standalone prospects look dim, but Kushwaha’s sway over Koeri voters gives him leverage. BJP’s election-time assurance on the son’s MLC seat adds pressure. A merger proposal from Bihar BJP circles was on the table, promising Kushwaha another Upper House term, cabinet berths for his MLAs, and possibly a Union minister post. Yet, he insists on his party’s symbol for the poll.
For BJP, the deal sweetens its numbers: three extra assembly seats and a Rajya Sabha gain. Kushwaha’s silence on merger talks fuels speculation of a post-poll decision. His track record—previous Rajya Sabha tenures and ministerial roles—positions him as a strategic ally in Bihar’s fragmented politics.
As NDA allies navigate pre-election tensions, Kushwaha’s gambit tests BJP’s accommodation limits. Will the party reward loyalty with family tickets, or demand full integration? Official reactions are absent, but the buzz suggests a high-wire act ahead, with implications for Bihar’s power equations.