BJP Unveils Candidates for Upcoming Rajya Sabha Elections Across Six States

The BJP has officially announced its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections across six states, including Bihar. This strategic move aims to bolster the party's representation in the upper house. Notably, Shivesh Ram, a prominent figure in Bihar's political landscape, is among the nominees. The elections are set for March 15, with significant implications for the state's political dynamics. As the party prepares for the elections, the competition for the fifth seat has become a focal point of discussion, highlighting the intricate electoral strategies at play. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving political scenario.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 3, 2026, 19:26 IST

BJP Announces Candidates for Rajya Sabha Elections

On Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officially revealed its list of nine candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, covering six states. The candidate list features prominent states such as Bihar, Haryana, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Assam. According to the schedule released by the Election Commission, the deadline for filing nominations is March 5, with voting and counting set for March 15. This announcement marks a significant step in the party's strategy to strengthen its presence in the upper house of Parliament. For Bihar, the party has nominated two candidates: Nitin Naveen and Shivesh Kumar. Shivesh Kumar is recognized as one of the leading Dalit faces of the BJP in Bihar's political landscape.

Who is Shivesh Ram?

Shivesh Ram is an active political figure whose influence in Bihar's politics has been steadily growing. His father, Muni Lal, was a prominent leader within the BJP, having been elected three times as a Member of Parliament from the Sasaram constituency and serving as a Minister of State in the government of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Shivesh began his political career at the grassroots level, working diligently as a party worker and gradually establishing his reputation. In 2010, he contested the elections as the BJP candidate from the Angiya assembly seat in Bhojpur district and won, becoming an MLA. Recognizing his organizational skills and active involvement, the party appointed him as the state general secretary. Later, he was chosen as the BJP candidate for the Sasaram Lok Sabha seat, although he did not achieve success in the 2024 general elections. Currently, he is reported to be serving as the state secretary of the Bihar BJP and remains actively involved in the organization.

Father's Legacy as an IAS Officer

Shivesh Ram hails from the village of Gyanpur Semariya, while his family currently resides in Ambedkar Colony, Patna. His father, Muni Lal, had a distinguished career in the administrative services as an IAS officer. Shivesh received his early education in his village before passing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination to join the Indian Administrative Service. He passed away in 2019.

Current Rajya Sabha Vacancies in Bihar

With the terms of five Rajya Sabha members set to expire in April, the political atmosphere in Bihar has become charged. The outgoing members include Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Premchand Gupta, Union Minister Ramnath Thakur, Amarendra Dhari Singh, and Upendra Kushwaha. Currently, Harivansh Narayan Singh and Ramnath Thakur represent the Janata Dal (United), while Premchand Gupta and Amarendra Dhari Singh are from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Upendra Kushwaha represents the Rashtriya Lok Morcha. The upcoming elections will determine the new representation structure for Bihar in the Rajya Sabha.

Electoral Dynamics and the Battle for the Fifth Seat

Considering the current composition of the Bihar Assembly ahead of the 2025 elections, the NDA is likely to secure four out of the five vacant seats with relative ease. However, the competition for the fifth seat has become a focal point of political discussions. To secure this fifth seat, the NDA will need the support of at least three additional MLAs beyond its current confirmed numbers. The BJP has already announced two candidates, and the Janata Dal (United) holds two seats, making the outcome of the fifth seat contingent on the alliances formed by independent MLAs and the strategies employed by opposition parties.

Election Timeline and Procedural Details

The Election Commission has laid out a clear timeline for the Rajya Sabha elections. Following the nomination deadline on March 5, there will be a verification of documents, after which the process for withdrawing candidacies will commence. Voting is scheduled to begin on the morning of March 15, with counting starting that evening. Reports indicate that political parties are taking measures to ensure internal cohesion among their legislators to prevent any incidents of cross-voting, which could alter the expected outcomes in states where the margins of victory are slim.