The political atmosphere in Bihar is heating up ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for March 16, 2026. While both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan are busy finalizing their strategies to secure the five vacant seats, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav was seen in a surprisingly relaxed mood at his Mahuabag residence. This calm demeanor has sparked discussions among political analysts, especially since both alliances are short of the exact numbers needed for a clear victory on the final seat.
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What is the current numbers game for the 5 Rajya Sabha seats?
To win a single Rajya Sabha seat in Bihar, a candidate requires the support of 41 MLAs in the 243-member assembly. The NDA currently holds a strong majority with 202 MLAs, which easily secures them four seats. However, they need about three more votes to claim the fifth seat. On the other hand, the Mahagathbandhan is approximately six votes short of a guaranteed win without outside support. Both alliances are highly concerned about potential cross-voting and have started holding closed-door meetings to keep their MLAs united. Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary recently hosted a legislative party meeting at his residence to ensure all NDA MLAs remain intact.
Who are the key candidates and what are the important dates?
Several prominent leaders are contesting the upcoming elections. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar filed his nomination on March 5, indicating his move to the Upper House. The BJP has fielded Nitin Nabin and Shivesh Kumar, while Upendra Kushwaha is contesting as an NDA-backed candidate. The RJD has renominated Amarendra Dhari Singh. The voting and counting will take place on March 16, 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Nomination Deadline | March 6, 2026 |
| Withdrawal Deadline | March 9, 2026 |
| Polling & Counting | March 16, 2026 |
Why is Lalu Yadav smiling and what is the AIMIM factor?
Experts believe Lalu Yadav’s public display of relaxation is a psychological tactic to project confidence and prevent any poaching of his party members. Behind the scenes, Tejashwi Yadav has been actively managing the alliance strategy from 10 Circular Road. On March 11, AIMIM Bihar chief Akhtarul Iman met Tejashwi Yadav. Since AIMIM has five MLAs, their support is extremely crucial for the RJD-led alliance to reach the magic number of 41 votes and secure their candidate’s position.
