3 NDA candidates, one from Congress file papers for Rajya Sabha polls in Bihar

NEW DEHI: In anticipation of the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar, three candidates from the ruling NDA alliance and one from the Congress have officially filed their nominations. Bihar, where six seats are set to become vacant, witnessed the prompt submission of nomination papers by key political figures.

Bihar Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh, a strong contender for a second consecutive term, wasted no time in submitting his nomination papers at the Vidhan Sabha secretariat. Accompanied by senior leaders from the grand alliance, including Bihar Congress CLP leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan and CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation MLAs, Singh displayed a united front.

Earlier in the day, JD(U)'s Sanjay Kumar Jha, and BJP's Bhim Singh and Dharamsheela Gupta, filed their nominations in the presence of top NDA leaders from the state, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, who also serves as the state BJP chief.

Sanjay Kumar Jha, a member of the Bihar Legislative Council since 2019, expressed gratitude for the nomination, acknowledging the big responsibility that comes with representing Bihar in the upper house of Parliament. Jha, who served as the minister of water resources until Jan 28, 2024, emphasized that he would uphold Nitish Kumar's ideals and values in this new role.

Bihar Congress chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh expressed his gratitude to former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, national president Mallikarjun Kharge, and the party leadership for considering him for the Rajya Sabha candidacy once again.

The upcoming elections in Bihar hold significance as CM Nitish Kumar recently severed ties with the 'Mahagathbandhan' and the INDIA alliance, rejoining the BJP-led NDA. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is expected to announce candidates for the remaining two seats.

A total of 56 Rajya Sabha members from 15 states are set to retire in April, and the election for these seats in Bihar is scheduled for February 27. The last date for filing nominations is February 15.