The Rajya Sabha election race in Bihar has the NDA in knots.
While the alliance is aiming to win all the five seats being vacated in April, there are multiple claimants to the seats, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar.
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), which has no presence in the Rajya Sabha, is learnt to be pushing for a berth.
This could effectively deny Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief and outgoing RS member Upendra Kushwaha a ticket.
To further complicate matters, Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) has also thrown its hat in the ring.
As the last date (March 5) for filing nominations for the Rajya Sabha polls is drawing close, the RLM chief has reportedly been asked to merge his party with the BJP to secure re-nomination.
While there is no official word from the BJP on the merger offer, RLM sources said Kushwaha might not go for it as it would dilute his political identity and put an end to his bargaining power.
Kushwaha, meanwhile, is reminding the BJP that it had promised him a re-election to the Rajya Sabha.
It was on this promise that Kushwaha had agreed to settle for just six seats in the pre-poll seat negotiations in the Assembly polls.
Even on the assured seats — two for the JD(U) and two for the BJP — there is a tussle within the respective parties on who would be sent to the Upper House.
Newly appointed BJP president Nitin Nabin, sources said, could be one of the candidates from the BJP.
JD(U) sources said Ramnath Thakur, the son of former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur, is almost sure to get re-elected to the Upper House, but the suspense over Nishant’s nomination continues.
A party source said: “Nishant’s name has been seriously discussed with top leadership of the party.
The final call will be taken by Tuesday.
A good number of leaders want Nishant to start his politics with a national identity.” This could well be at the cost of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who will complete two terms in the House this April.
“Those aligned with Harivansh ji....
