Rajya Sabha polls: Political heat rises in Bihar as AIMIM emerges key player

A day before voting for the Rajya Sabha elections, political activity
in Bihar has reached a fever pitch. Meetings after meetings are being
held within the NDA. On the other hand, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand
Alliance) is also making every possible effort to ensure victory in
the election.

In the poll, the NDA fielded five candidates. These include Chief
Minister Nitish Kumar, BJP national president Nitin Naveen, RLM chief
Upendra Kushwaha, Union minister Ramnath Thakur, and BJP leader
Shivesh Ram. The RJD, meanwhile, has fielded Amarendra Dhari Singh as
its candidate.

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With six candidates contesting for five seats, the election has become
highly interesting to watch.

In terms of numbers, the NDA claims to be in a strong position.
However, behind-the-scenes bargaining and a series of meetings have
triggered considerable anxiety in political circles.

RJD candidate Amarendra Dhari Singh requires six votes to win. The
Mahagathbandhan currently has 35 MLAs. To secure victory, it needs the
support of five AIMIM MLAs and one BSP MLA.

On the other hand, despite falling short of three MLAs needed to
secure the fifth seat, NDA leaders maintain that the alliance has the
numbers and that all its candidates will win comfortably.

Meanwhile, JD(U) MLA Ratnesh Sada has intensified the political buzz
by stating that BJP leader Shivesh Ram is the fifth candidate from the
NDA, Upendra Kushwaha.

Following this statement, questions have once again arisen over why
there is so much confusion within the NDA regarding the fifth
candidate and how the discussion shifted from Upendra Kushwaha to
Shivesh Ram.

Political observers had earlier believed that the NDA might project
Upendra Kushwaha as the fifth candidate. It was speculated that
Kushwaha might use his proximity to the AIMIM to secure the support of
its five MLAs.

However, Ratnesh Sada’s statement suggests that the political
equations may have changed.

The notable aspect of the current developments is that Asaduddin
Owaisi’s party, AIMIM, appears to be at the centre of the political
churn.

Political circles are abuzz with AIMIM state president Akhtarul Iman’s
reported demand for a share in the Legislative Council in exchange for
the party’s support to the RJD.

The challenge for Tejashwi is that if he yields, AIMIM’s influence
could grow in Bihar. If he does not, defeat in the Rajya Sabha
election could become inevitable.

Political analysts believe that the unfolding developments could serve
as a warning sign for Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD.