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In Odisha, 3 candidates supported by the BJP — Manmohan Samal, Sujit Kumar and BJP-backed Independent Dilip Ray — won three of the four seats.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar with Union Minister Chirag Paswan and others in Patna on March 16.
The results of the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha and Bihar were declared on Monday, with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) registering key victories.
In Odisha, three candidates supported by the BJP — Manmohan Samal, Sujit Kumar and BJP-backed Independent Dilip Ray — won three of the four seats. The remaining seat went to Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate Santrupt Misra.
The election was held after a gap of 12 years as five candidates were contesting for four vacancies that will arise on April 2. The terms of members Niranjan Bishi and Munna Khan of the BJD, and Sujit Kumar and Mamata Mohanta of the BJP, are set to end on that date.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called the result a “memorable day” for the state. “Three candidates fielded by us won in the Rajya Sabha elections today… All the legislators, whether from the Congress party or the BJD, voted for all three candidates with overwhelming votes to advance Odisha’s development,” he said.
However, polling day saw tensions in the Assembly as a scuffle broke out between BJD and BJP MLAs.
BJD chief and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik accused the BJP of “horse-trading” and alleged irregularities in the voting process, claiming that a legislator was issued a second ballot paper in violation of norms.
Bihar: NDA Wins All Five Seats
In Bihar, the Nitish Kumar-led NDA swept all five Rajya Sabha seats. BJP president Nitin Nabin, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union minister Ram Nath Thakur of the JD(U), BJP leader Shivesh Kumar and Rashtriya Lok Morcha president Upendra Kushwaha were declared winners.
Khyati Singh, Secretary of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha and the Returning Officer for the Rajya Sabha polls, confirmed the results. The NDA enjoys a comfortable majority in the 243-member Assembly, holding 202 seats.
Bihar Minister Ram Kirpal Yadav hailed the outcome, saying, “All five NDA candidates have won, and I congratulate everyone… The way NDA has been winning so far, it will continue to win in the same manner in the future.”
Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad called the result as proof of the alliance’s “rock-solid unity”. However, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged betrayal within the opposition ranks and accused the BJP of using “money power and misuse of administration” during the election.
“Cheating, fraud, money power, and misuse of administration are the BJP’s habits. Not just in the state of Bihar. We have heard that similar things have come to light in many states where elections were held today,” Yadav alleged.
Counting Delayed In Haryana
Meanwhile, counting of votes for two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana was delayed following complaints by the BJP and Congress alleging breaches of voting secrecy. The counting, scheduled to start at 5 pm, was postponed as the Election Commission examined the claims.
The BJP alleged that two Congress MLAs did not fold their ballots properly, while the Congress accused senior BJP leader Anil Vij of violating vote secrecy.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to the Election Commission seeking intervention to protect the integrity of the election and requested a delegation meet before results are declared.
Voting took place earlier in the day, with the Indian National Lok Dal abstaining. Congress MLAs, moved to Himachal Pradesh ahead of polling, returned to Chandigarh to cast their votes. Independent candidate Satish Nandal, backed by BJP MLAs, and party candidates Sanjay Bhatia (BJP) and Karamvir Singh Boudh (Congress) are in the fray. Results will be announced once the Commission grants permission.
(With inputs from agencies)
March 16, 2026, 21:43 IST
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