NDA Secures All Five Rajya Sabha Seats in Bihar Elections
In a significant political development, the NDA has secured all five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, with results now awaiting official confirmation. Amidst the celebrations, opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav raised concerns over the integrity of the vote counting process, claiming discrepancies in the vote tally. As the situation unfolds, the Election Commission's response to objections regarding voting secrecy remains crucial. This article delves into the election results, the reactions from key political figures, and the ongoing recounting process, highlighting the tensions surrounding this pivotal election.
| Mar 16, 2026, 20:05 IST
NDA's Victory in Bihar Rajya Sabha Elections
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has successfully claimed all five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar. Officials at the counting center have confirmed that all candidates from the ruling coalition have emerged victorious. The results have been forwarded to the Election Commission in Delhi for approval, after which an official notification will be issued. According to the counting details, NDA candidate Shivesh Kumar secured the final seat based on second preference votes. However, as of the time of writing, official confirmation was still pending.
In the Bihar Rajya Sabha elections, all five NDA candidates achieved victory. The results based on first preference votes are as follows:
Nitish Kumar – 44 votes
Nitin Nabin – 44 votes
Ramnath Thakur – 42 votes
Upendra Kushwaha – 42 votes
Shivesh Ram – 30 votes
The fifth candidate, Shivesh Ram, won his seat based on second preference votes.
Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the opposition in the Bihar Assembly and a member of the RJD, stated that their candidate received 37 votes, while the BJP's fifth candidate, Shivesh Ram, only garnered 30 votes, and a recount is currently underway. He emphasized the need for a fair counting process without any pressure. Yadav asserted that if Shivesh Ram received 30 votes and they received 37, they are winning the election. He claimed that if the ruling party is requesting a recount, it indicates their defeat and an attempt to manipulate the results. He criticized the BJP for dishonesty.
As of the time of writing, the counting in Haryana was halted due to objections regarding the secrecy of the voting process. Former minister and Congress MLA Ashok Arora mentioned that the Election Commission has yet to address the objections raised by both Congress and BJP regarding the confidentiality of the voting. The counting can only commence after these issues are resolved, and the Election Commission will determine when the process will begin. Regarding reports of cross-voting among Congress legislators, Arora clarified that only authorized voting agents or the legislators themselves can confirm such matters. He stated that they have not received any information about cross-voting, nor has the party received any such reports.