The BJP’s Central Election Committee has greenlit nine candidates for the upcoming biennial Rajya Sabha elections, with Bihar emerging as a focal point. National President Nitin Nabin and Shivesh Ram are the party’s picks from the state, amid a high-stakes battle for five contested seats.
Deadlines are tight: nominations close March 5, followed by voting and results on March 15. While Maharashtra awaits its announcement, other states see Sanjay Bhatia (Haryana), Rahul Sinha (West Bengal), Lakshmi Verma (Chhattisgarh), Manmohan Samal and Sujit Kumar (Odisha), and Tarash Gowala with Jagnmohan (Assam).
In Bihar, the expiring terms of Harivansh Narayan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur (JD(U)), Premchandra Gupta and Amarnath Dhari Singh (RJD), and Upendra Kushwaha set the stage for fierce competition. NDA’s assembly strength positions it favorably for four seats, but the fifth demands delicate negotiations for additional legislative backing.
This calculated rollout reflects BJP’s broader strategy to consolidate influence in the Rajya Sabha. Observers note Nitin Nabin’s candidacy as a masterstroke, leveraging his stature to fortify the party’s position in Bihar’s intricate political matrix. Expect wheeling-dealing to intensify as the election date nears.