Kumar Bahukhandi
Security personnel and media persons assembled outside Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s official residence. | Photo Credit- Reuters
Congress announces 6 Rajya Sabha poll picks, including Abhishek Manu Singhvi; Maha Vikas Aghadi announces Sharad Pawar as its sole candidate
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Thursday March 5, 2026 released the list of party candidates approved for the upcoming 2026 biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge approved the candidature of Phulo Devi Netam (Chhattisgarh), Karamvir Singh Boudh (Haryana), Anurag Sharma (Himachal Pradesh), M. Christopher Tilak (Tamil Nadu), and Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Vem Narender Reddy (Telangana) to contest the elections.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday, ending days of uncertainty in Maharashtra, formally announced Sharad Pawar as its sole candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election, raising the possibility of an unopposed contest in the State. The Congress central leadership decided in favour of . Pawar’s candidature, giving up on its own claim and standing against Shiv Sena (UBT)’s demand.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday nominated its national president Nitin Nabin as the party’s candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls from Bihar. Former BJP MLA from Bihar Shivesh Kumar is the party’s second nominee from the State. He is a leader from the Ravidas community and is the son of former IAS officer and Minister in the Vajpayee government Munni Lal.
March 05, 2026 11:32
Congress names Kamarvir Boudh as its Rajya Sabha candidate from Haryana
The Congress on Thursday (March 5, 2026) named Karamvir Singh Boudh, a Scheduled Caste leader, as party’s candidate for the Rajya Sabha election in Haryana. The announcement came on the last date for filing nominations for the biennial election for two seats.
The candidature of Boudh, a little known political figure in State politics, came as a surprise, as several prominent leaders including former Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee party president Udai Bhan, former Sirsa Lok Sabha member Ashok Tanwar, and some Ahir leaders were among the contenders.
Congress names Kamarvir Boudh, a SC leader, as its Rajya Sabha candidate from Haryana
Congress nominates Kamarvir Boudh, a SC leader, for Rajya Sabha from Haryana, aiming to balance party dynamics.
March 05, 2026 11:30
I look forward to serving state with renewed zeal, energy: Abhishek Singhvi
Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Thursday March 5, 2026 thanked the Congress leadership after he was renominated by the party for the upcoming biennial Rajya Sabha elections and said he was overwhelmed with the support and affection given to him in the past two years.
“I am proud, I am extremely happy that I am nominated another time for the Rajya Sabha seat from this great state of Telangana. I am overwhelmed by the love and affection showered upon me and the support given to me in the last two years. I hope and trust that will continue and increase. I want to thank the Congress party, its top leadership, the Congress president, former president Sonia ji, Rahul ji… I look forward to serving the State with renewed zeal, energy and enthusiasm,” . Singhvi told reporters
March 05, 2026 11:12
Nitish Kumar announces he will file nomination papers for Rajya Sabha elections
Ending speculations, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced he will be filing nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
“From the very beginning of my parliamentary journey, there has been a desire in my heart to become a member of both Houses of the Bihar Legislature as well as both Houses of Parliament. In keeping with this aspiration, I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time,” Kumar said, taking to social media.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the people of Bihar and assured that the new government in the State will be formed with his ‘full cooperation and guidance’.
March 05, 2026 11:07
Odisha Rajya Sabha race heats up as ex-Union Minister Dilip Ray seeks cross-party support
A day after receiving the ruling BJP’s backing for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls in Odisha, former Union Minister Dilip Ray on Wednesday March 4, 2026 launched his campaign, asserting that arranging the required additional votes would be “not a difficult task” for him.
Mr. Ray, the lone parliamentarian from Odisha to have served as a Union Minister under three Prime Ministers — Atal Bihari Vajpayee, H.D. Deve Gowda and I.K. Gujral — had on Tuesday March 3 announced his decision to contest the March 16 Rajya Sabha elections as an Independent candidate, despite being a BJP member.
Under the current strength in the 147-member Assembly, a candidate requires 30 first-preference votes to win. The BJP has 79 MLAs and the support of three Independents, taking its tally to 82. After ensuring victory for its two official candidates, the party will have a surplus of 22 votes.
The BJD, with 48 MLAs following the suspension of two members in January, will have 18 surplus votes after securing one seat. The Congress has 14 MLAs and the CPI(M) has one member.
Ray will need at least eight additional votes beyond the BJP’s surplus to win.
March 05, 2026 11:04
JD(U) workers protest outside party office over Nitish’s speculated RS entry
March 05, 2026 10:58
Chirag Paswan affirms no leadership change in Bihar
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) Chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan has dismissed speculation of a leadership change in Bihar, stating there is no discussion regarding a new Chief Minister in the State.
“There’s no discussion on changing the Chief Minister. Nitish Kumar will continue to lead Bihar, and our double-engine government is working well,” said the Union Minister.
Paswan also addressed rumours regarding Nitish’s son’s potential entry into active politics, asserting that whether or not Nishant Kumar chooses to step into the political arena is entirely a matter of his personal choice.
March 05, 2026 10:58
Congress fields Anurag Sharma as Rajya Sabha candidate from Himachal Pradesh
The Congress on Thursday March 5, 2026 announced Kangra District Congress Committee president Anurag Sharma as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Himachal Pradesh.
Sharma, considered close to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is set to file his nomination later in the day following a meeting of the Congress Legislative Party. He has also served as the president of the Billing Paragliding Association.
Sharma’s nomination comes as a surprise, as the names of former state Congress president Pratibha Singh, former Union minister Anand Sharma, and the Chief Minister’s political adviser Sunil Sharma were widely considered frontrunners for the seat.
March 05, 2026 10:54
Congress renominates tribal leader Phulo Devi Netam from Chhattisgarh
The opposition Congress in Chhattisgarh has renominated senior tribal leader Phulo Devi Netam, an incumbent Rajya Sabha member, as its candidate for the March 16 biennial Rajya Sabha elections.
Of the five Rajya Sabha members from the State, the terms of Netam and Kavi Tejpal Singh Tulsi, both from the Congress, are set to expire on April 9, and elections are being held to fill the twin vacancies.
The other Rajya Sabha members from the state are Ranjeet Ranjan and Rajiv Shukla of the Congress, and Devendra Pratap Singh of the BJP.
March 05, 2026 10:52
JD(U) workers continue opposing Nitish Kumar’s speculated move to Rajya Sabha
Janata Dal (United) workers surrounded party leader and Hilsa MLA Krishna Murari Sharan’s car, stopping him from entering the residence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as they opposed the JD(U) chief’s speculated move to the Rajya Sabha.
JD(U) workers have opposed CM Nitish Kumar’s speculated move to file nomination for Rajya Sabha elections as they want him to continue to lead the State.
A JD(U) worker told ANI that “conspiracies are hatched against Nitish Kumar” as he affirmed that the supporters want the Bihar CM to complete his term.
March 05, 2026 10:41
MVA backs Sharad Pawar for Rajya Sabha, unopposed election likely
Ending days of uncertainty in Maharashtra, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday (March 4, 2026) formally announced Sharad Pawar as its sole candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha election, raising the possibility of an unopposed contest in the State.
The Congress central leadership decided in favour of Pawar’s candidature, giving up on its own claim and standing against Shiv Sena (UBT)’s demand. “The decision follows Shiv Sena (UBT)’s refusal to take a stand on the Congress’ proposal for (a joint) alignment between the two parties (Congress and Shiv Sena UBT) for one candidate,” Congress sources told The Media .
MVA backs Sharad Pawar for Rajya Sabha, unopposed election likely, BJP declares list of four
Negotiations continue in Maharashtra as MVA seeks consensus on Rajya Sabha candidate amid BJP’s announcement of four nominees.
March 05, 2026 10:40
Tiruchi Siva and Constantine Ravindran are DMK Rajya Sabha candidates
DMK on Wednesday March 4, 2026 evening announced its candidates for the biennial election to Rajya Sabha.
Three time MP Tiruchi N. Siva and a key spokesperson Constantine Ravindran are the candidates. It is a record of sorts for Siva, who will be entering the Rajya Sabha for the fifth time.
Tiruchi Siva and Constantine Ravindran are DMK Rajya Sabha candidates
DMK announces Tiruchi Siva and Constantine Ravindran as candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
March 05, 2026 10:39
AIADMK fields veteran Thambi Durai again, allots one seat to PMK
The AIADMK on Wednesday March 4, 2026 announced the renomination of its senior leader, M. Thambi Durai, for the lone Rajya Sabha seat that it would contest.
This was announced by the party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami in a release.
In another release, he said another seat of the Upper House had been allotted to the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).
Rajya Sabha elections: AIADMK fields veteran Thambi Durai again, allots one seat to PMK
AIADMK renominates veteran Thambi Durai for Rajya Sabha; PMK receives an additional Upper House seat allocation.
March 05, 2026 10:37
Crowd swells at Nitish Kumar’s residence
The JD(U) is yet to release a list of candidates for the Rajya Sabha seat and there has been no official announcement yet that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will file his nomination papers for the upcoming elections.
However, crowd swelled in front of the Chief Minister’s residence in Patna, shouting slogans like ‘Nitish Kumar Zindabad’.
Security personnel and media persons assembled outside gate of official residence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Photo Credit: Reuters
March 05, 2026 10:32
NDA candidates to file nomination papers; Amit Shah enroute to Patna
All NDA candidates, including Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin will likely file their nomination papers on Thursday (March 5, 2026) between 1.30 p.m. – 2 p.m. for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
All 5 candidates will file their papers in the presence of Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah, who is expected to reach Bihar’s Patna by 12 p.m.
BJP President Nitin Nabin, along with his family members, visited Hanuman mandir temple at Patna junction on Thursday (March 5) ahead of the filing of nomination papers.
March 05, 2026 10:26
Nitish Kumar may step down as Bihar CM, move to Rajya Sabha
On a day Bihar celebrated Holi, Patna on Wednesday (March 4, 2026) witnessed hectic political activity over reports that Janata Dal(U) leader Nitish Kumar would resign as Chief Minister and go to the Rajya Sabha.
Top BJP sources told The Hindu that Bihar would soon have a new Chief Minister.
“At a meeting of their party with JD(U) leaders held after the results of Assembly election in Bihar, a suggestion was made that a succession plan for the government be made within a year of the results. It was conveyed that a succession plan for the government needed to be in place factoring in the future of the JD(U),” a source said.
Nitish Kumar may step down as Bihar CM, move to Rajya Sabha; son Nishant could be Deputy CM
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar may resign to join Rajya Sabha, with son Nishant Kumar poised to become Deputy CM.
March 05, 2026 10:26
BJP president Nitin Nabin set for Rajya Sabha entry; party rewards performers with tickets
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) nominated its national president Nitin Nabin as the party’s candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls from Bihar.
Nabin’s nomination and subsequent election will entail his resignation from the Bihar Assembly, where he is a member, and a full-time shift to Delhi, an imperative for the national president.
Former BJP MLA from Bihar Shivesh Kumar is the party’s second nominee from the State. He is a leader from the Ravidas community and is the son of former IAS officer and Minister in the Vajpayee government Munni Lal.
Rajya Sabha Elections: BJP president Nitin Nabin set for Rajya Sabha entry; party rewards performers with tickets
BJP nominates nine candidates, including president Nitin Nabin from Bihar, for Rajya Sabha elections on March 16, 2026.
March 05, 2026 10:25
Congress releases list of candidates for 2026 Rajya Sabha polls
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Thursday (March 5, 2026) released the list of party candidates approved for the upcoming 2026 biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha.
According to a statement by the party, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge approved the candidature of Phulo Devi Netam (Chhattisgarh), Karamvir Singh Boudh (Haryana), Anurag Sharma (Himachal Pradesh), M. Christopher Tilak (Tamil Nadu), and Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Vem Narender Reddy (Telangana) to contest the elections.
Rajya Sabha elections: Congress releases list of candidates for 2026 polls
Congress announces candidates for the 2026 Rajya Sabha elections, approved by President Mallikarjun Kharge.
( Source-ANI-PTI-Reuters )
