NDA wins nine Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar, Odisha, Haryana

By Admin

17 Mar, 2026

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) registered a strong political victory in the latest Rajya Sabha elections held on March 16, 2026, securing a total of nine seats across Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana. The results underline the alliance’s growing influence in key states, while also sparking political controversy, particularly in Haryana.

🟠 Big Win for NDA Across Three States

The NDA dominated the elections by winning:

• 5 seats in Bihar
  
  

• 3 seats in Odisha
  
  

• 1 seat in Haryana
  
  

Out of the 37 total Rajya Sabha vacancies, elections were conducted for 11 seats in these three states, while the remaining candidates were elected unopposed.

🟢 Bihar: Clean Sweep by NDA

In Bihar, the NDA achieved a complete sweep of all five seats, showcasing its numerical strength in the state assembly.

Key winners include:

• BJP national president Nitin Nabin
  
  

• Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (JD(U))
  
  

• JD(U) leader Ramnath Thakur
  
  

• BJP candidate Shivesh Kumar
  
  

• RLM president Upendra Kushwaha
  
  

The victory was further aided by low opposition turnout, as several MLAs from the Mahagathbandhan alliance did not participate in voting.

Despite a close contest for the fifth seat, Shivesh Kumar managed to defeat the RJD candidate through the second preference vote system, highlighting the importance of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system used in Rajya Sabha elections.

🔵 Odisha: BJP Gains Ground Amid Cross-Voting

In Odisha, the BJP secured three seats, including the victory of:

• Dilip Ray, an Independent candidate backed by BJP
  
  

• BJP leaders Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar
  
  

The election saw significant cross-voting, with 11 MLAs (including members from BJD and Congress) voting in favor of Dilip Ray. This unexpected shift helped BJP gain an edge despite not having full numerical strength in the state assembly.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) managed to win only one seat, marking a setback for the regional party.

🔴 Haryana: Victory Amid Controversy

In Haryana, the election for two Rajya Sabha seats was marked by delays and disputes.

Winners:

• BJP’s Sanjay Bhatia
  
  

• Congress candidate Karamvir Singh Boudh
  
  

However, the counting process was delayed after both BJP and Congress filed complaints alleging breach of vote secrecy.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge raised concerns with the Election Commission, alleging attempts to interfere with the integrity of the election. Meanwhile, BJP also filed counter-complaints over alleged voting violations by Congress MLAs.

Despite the controversy, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini congratulated both winning candidates.

⚙️ How Rajya Sabha Elections Work

Rajya Sabha elections follow a system of Proportional Representation using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) method.

• MLAs rank candidates based on preference
  
  

• A candidate must reach a specific vote quota to win
  
  

• Surplus votes are transferred based on second preferences
  
  

This system played a crucial role in close contests like Bihar, where second-preference votes determined the outcome.

📊 Political Significance

The NDA’s performance reflects:

• Strong legislative control in Bihar
  
  

• Growing influence in Odisha despite BJD dominance
  
  

• Competitive political landscape in Haryana
  
  

At the same time, the controversy in Haryana signals rising tensions between major parties over electoral transparency and procedures.

📝 Conclusion

The Rajya Sabha elections of March 2026 have reinforced the NDA’s position as a dominant political force in multiple states. While Bihar and Odisha delivered decisive victories, Haryana highlighted the complexities and challenges of electoral politics in closely contested environments.

The results not only reshape the composition of the Rajya Sabha but also set the tone for future political battles ahead.