NDA Sweeps Rajya Sabha Polls in Bihar; Results Declared for Haryana, Odisha
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has secured a significant victory in the Rajya Sabha elections, winning all five seats in Bihar. Voting also concluded in Haryana and Odisha, with results announced for those states as well. The elections saw intense political maneuvering, allegations of cross-voting, and procedural disputes in some regions.
Key Highlights
- NDA wins all five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar.
- Voting concludes in Haryana and Odisha Rajya Sabha elections.
- Allegations of cross-voting and procedural disputes reported.
- Results for Bihar, Haryana, and Odisha declared on March 16, 2026.
- Election process involved 37 seats across 10 states.
The Rajya Sabha elections held on March 16, 2026, saw the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) achieve a comprehensive victory in Bihar, securing all five seats. The ruling alliance's candidates, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin, were declared winners. Sources within the NDA claimed that all 202 MLAs of the alliance participated in the voting, underscoring their unified front. The victory in Bihar was cemented with Shivesh Kumar, the fifth NDA candidate, winning based on second-preference votes after four Mahagathbandhan MLAs abstained from polling. This situation led to a setback for the Mahagathbandhan, whose combined vote tally was impacted by the absence of its legislators. Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in Bihar, claimed that his party's candidate received more votes than the BJP's, and called for a recount, citing concerns about the fairness of the counting process. Despite these claims, the overall outcome in Bihar favored the NDA.
In Haryana, the Rajya Sabha elections for two seats were marked by controversy, leading to a temporary halt in vote counting. Objections were raised by both the BJP and the Congress regarding the validity and secrecy of certain votes cast by MLAs. The BJP's Gaurav Gautam and Kishan Bedi questioned two Congress votes, while the Congress raised objections about minister Anil Vij's vote. This led to a deadlock lasting over an hour as officials examined the complaints. Ultimately, counting resumed, and results were declared. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) abstained from voting, while Congress MLAs, who had been moved to Himachal Pradesh for security, returned to cast their votes.
Odisha also witnessed a closely contested election for its four Rajya Sabha seats. Results indicated victories for two BJP candidates, one BJD nominee, and a BJP-backed Independent candidate, Dilip Ray. The election in Odisha was not without its share of political tension, with allegations of cross-voting and a brief scuffle between BJD and BJP MLAs reported during the polling. At least five MLAs from the opposition BJD and Congress were reported to have voted in favour of the BJP-supported Independent nominee, Dilip Ray. The BJD chief and Leader of the Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, raised concerns about alleged irregularities and violations of election norms, including the issuance of a second ballot paper to a legislator.
Nationally, the biennial elections were held for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states. While 26 candidates had already been elected unopposed, voting was conducted for the remaining 11 seats. The election process for the Rajya Sabha involves indirect elections by state legislative assembly members, using a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. The results from Bihar, Haryana, and Odisha contribute to the overall composition of the Upper House of Parliament, influencing the legislative landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main outcomes of the Rajya Sabha elections on March 16, 2026?
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won all five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar. Elections were also held in Haryana and Odisha, with results declared for all three states. The overall process involved filling 37 seats across 10 states, with 26 candidates elected unopposed.
Were there any controversies during the Rajya Sabha elections?
Yes, there were reports of controversies, including allegations of cross-voting in Bihar and Odisha. In Haryana, vote counting was temporarily halted due to objections raised by both the BJP and Congress regarding voting procedures.
Which political parties were involved in the Bihar Rajya Sabha elections?
The main political alliances involved in Bihar were the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which secured all seats, and the Mahagathbandhan, which experienced a setback due to MLA abstentions.