Bharatiya Janata Party National President Nitin Nabin filed his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections in Patna on Thursday. Before heading to the Bihar Assembly for the formal process, Nabin visited the Mahaveer Hanuman Temple to offer prayers. This move marks a significant transition for the 45-year-old leader, who is currently the youngest National President in the history of the BJP and a five-term MLA from Bankipur.
Important Dates and Rules for Rajya Sabha Polls
The Election Commission of India has outlined a strict schedule for the 5 vacant seats in Bihar. Candidates are required to follow specific voting protocols during the polling process. For instance, voters must use only the integrated violet color sketch pens provided by the Returning Officer to mark their preferences on the ballot paper.
| Event Description | Scheduled Date/Detail |
|---|---|
| Last Day for Nomination | March 5, 2026 |
| Scrutiny of Nominations | March 6, 2026 |
| Last Date for Withdrawal | March 9, 2026 |
| Date of Polling | March 16, 2026 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) |
| Counting of Votes | March 16, 2026 (Starts at 5:00 PM) |
| Total Vacant Seats in Bihar | 5 Seats |
Amit Shah Attends Nomination as Leadership Rumors Dismissed
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Patna to accompany Nitin Nabin during the filing of his nomination at the Bihar Assembly. Nabin was joined by Shivesh Kumar, who is the second BJP candidate from Bihar. Following Nabin’s move to the Upper House, he will resign from his Bankipur assembly seat, which will eventually lead to a by-election in that constituency.
During the event, senior BJP leaders addressed recent political speculation. Union Minister Giriraj Singh dismissed rumors about Chief Minister Nitish Kumar potentially resigning to join the Rajya Sabha, labeling such talk as “Holi jokes.” Union Minister Chirag Paswan also confirmed the stability of the current Bihar government, stating that the leadership remains unchanged.
