The countdown to Bihar’s Rajya Sabha elections on March 16 has sparked alliance maneuvering, with Hindustani Awam Morcha’s Jitan Ram Manjhi leading the charge for his share. The Union Minister openly flagged the BJP’s unfulfilled vow from before the 2024 national polls.
Addressing press in Gaya, Manjhi detailed the pre-election parleys: senior BJP leaders promised HAM two Lok Sabha and one Rajya Sabha seats. They got one Lok Sabha slot, won it decisively for NDA, but the Upper House nod awaits.
‘We seek no more than what’s due—a single Rajya Sabha seat for our steadfast support,’ affirmed the leader who launched HAM in 2015.
Five Bihar seats turn over in April, occupied by JD(U)’s Harivansh Narayan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur, RJD’s Prem Chand Gupta and Amarendra Dhari Singh, and ex-minister Upendra Kushwaha (RLJM), a 2025 BJP-backed entrant.
NDA’s assembly strength secures three. Nomination frenzy peaks March 5, scrutiny March 6, pullouts by March 9.
Candidate lists pending from NDA. RJD’s Mahagathbandhan scrapes 35 MLAs—short of the 41 needed—now courting AIMIM and BSP support without prior ties. New entrant IIP joins Congress, CPI(ML), CPI(M) in the fold.
With elections looming, Manjhi’s reminder spotlights NDA’s give-and-take, potentially reshaping Bihar’s parliamentary delegation.