Political activities are escalating in Bihar as elections for five Rajya Sabha seats approach. Senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Bhai Virendra has advocated for nominating Hina Shahab, the wife of former MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, as the Grand Alliance’s joint candidate. Virendra believes Shahab’s candidacy could enhance opposition unity and garner minority votes, potentially including support from AIMIM led by Asaduddin Owaisi.
Bhai Virendra emphasized that appointing Hina Shahab as the consensus candidate for the Grand Alliance would help maintain crucial political balances in the state. He suggested that her nomination might secure the backing of five AIMIM MLAs, a support base crucial for the RJD-led alliance to secure a Rajya Sabha seat. Virendra also hinted that some MLAs from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) might consider cross-voting in favor of the opposition if Shahab enters the electoral race.
The move to propose Hina Shahab’s candidacy is seen as a strategic move to assess reactions from allies and party leadership within the Grand Alliance. Meanwhile, AIMIM’s Bihar state president Akhtarul Iman has expressed the party’s interest in a Rajya Sabha seat and proposed that an AIMIM leader contest with the backing of the entire opposition, including the RJD. The recent meeting between IP Gupta, an MLA from the IIP, a Grand Alliance ally, and Asaddudin Owaisi in Hyderabad underscores AIMIM’s increasing significance in the evolving political landscape.
The terms of Harivansh Narayan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur of the Janata Dal United (JD-U), Upendra Kushwaha of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha, and RJD leaders Prem Chand Gupta and A D Singh are due to expire in April. The Election Commission of India has scheduled the polling date for March 16. In the 243-member Bihar Assembly, a candidate needs the support of at least 41 MLAs to secure a Rajya Sabha seat. While the NDA holds a comfortable majority of 202 MLAs, ensuring victory for four candidates, it falls short by three votes for the fifth seat. Conversely, the RJD-led Grand Alliance, with 35 MLAs, requires six additional votes. The support of one BSP MLA and five AIMIM MLAs could be pivotal for Tejashwi Yadav and the opposition in this closely contested election.
