# Bihar Legislative Council elections and alliance tensions

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20261029-bihar-legislative-council-elections
> Updated: 2026-10-31T17:10:40.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 4.

In late October 2026, Bihar government minister Ramkrpal Yadav asserted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was certain to win all eight seats in the upcoming Legislative Council elections for graduate and teacher constituencies. Following an extended counting process, the results showed a shift in the Darbhanga graduate seat, where Anil Kumar Jha of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Sarvesh Kumar. 

The election results have triggered political friction within the NDA, as the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) suffered significant losses, winning only one of its four allocated seats. Tensions escalated after newly elected independent Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs), Bansidhar Brajwasi and Rahul Raj, joined the 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. 

While the new MLCs stated they joined the BJP to better advocate for teachers' interests and support the political family, the decision has fueled resentment within the JDU. JDU candidate Abhishek Jha expressed feeling isolated following his defeat. Meanwhile, RJD Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has sought the disqualification of both members, alleging the move violates the anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The RJD has accused the BJP of making a “mockery of the Constitution.”

## Timeline

### 2026-10-31: Bihar MLCs Bansidhar Brajwasi and Rahul Raj join BJP

Two newly elected independent MLCs in Bihar, Bansidhar Brajwasi and Rahul Raj, have joined the BJP, prompting RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav to seek their disqualification under anti-defection laws.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/independent-mlcs-banshidhar-brajwasi-and-rahul-raj-join-bjp-in-bihar

### 2026-10-31: Bihar MLC elections spark tension within NDA alliance

Tensions have risen within Bihar's NDA alliance after JDU suffered losses in MLC elections and the two independent winners joined the BJP.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bihar-mlc-elections-spark-tension-within-nda-alliance

### 2026-10-29: Anil Kumar Jha of RJD wins Darbhanga MLC seat in Bihar

RJD candidate Anil Kumar Jha won the Darbhanga graduate MLC seat in Bihar, defeating BJP's Sarvesh Kumar after a dramatic shift in second-preference votes during extended counting.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/anil-kumar-jha-of-rjd-wins-darbhanga-mlc-seat-in-bihar

### 2026-10-24: Bihar Minister Ramkrpal Yadav claims NDA victory in MLC elections

Bihar Minister Ramkrpal Yadav claims the NDA will win all eight MLC seats in upcoming elections and addresses the Siwan factory explosion and controversies at Jamia Millia Islamia.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bihar-minister-ramkrpal-yadav-claims-nda-victory-in-mlc-elections

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Cite as: Bihar Legislative Council elections and alliance tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20261029-bihar-legislative-council-elections