Bihar MLCs Bansidhar Brajwasi and Rahul Raj join BJP

Newly elected independent Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) in Bihar, Bansidhar Brajwasi and Rahul Raj, have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before being sworn into office. The move occurred at the BJP state office in the presence of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and state BJP President Sanjay Sarawagi.

Rahul Raj, who won from the Saran teacher constituency, and Bansidhar Brajwasi, who won from the Tirhut graduate constituency, both previously defeated candidates from the Janata Dal (United). The MLCs stated their decision was driven by a desire to better advocate for teachers' issues and support the existing political family.

In response, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has sought the disqualification of both members. Yadav alleged that the switch violates the anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which stipulates that independently elected members are disqualified if they join a political party after their election. The RJD has accused the BJP of making a “mockery of the Constitution.”