Patna: Political activity has intensified in Bihar ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for Monday, with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) holding a series of meetings in Patna to finalise its electoral strategy.
An important meeting of NDA leaders was held on Sunday morning at the residence of Janata Dal (United) national working president Sanjay Jha. Several senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and JD(U) attended the discussion, where the alliance’s approach to the Rajya Sabha vote was reviewed.
Later in the day, a separate meeting of JD(U) MLAs was convened at the residence of minister Leshi Singh, while BJP leaders gathered at the State Guest House for consultations involving key party figures.
According to leaders present at the discussions, the NDA reviewed its vote management strategy to ensure the victory of all its candidates. Among those attending the meeting were Bihar BJP president Sanjay Sarawagi, Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister and the BJP’s Rajya Sabha election observer Vijay Sharma, Bihar deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary, and minister Shravan Kumar.
Following the meeting, Shravan Kumar expressed confidence about the outcome of the election.
“Even if the Grand Alliance claims victory, the Rajya Sabha election will be won by the NDA,” he said. “We have a complete strategy and we have been winning elections consistently.”
Mock poll for MLAs
In a move aimed at preventing errors during voting, NDA MLAs have been asked to participate in a mock poll at Samrat Choudhary’s government residence on Sunday afternoon.
The exercise is intended to familiarise legislators with the preference-based voting system used in Rajya Sabha elections. Alliance leaders believe that even a single incorrectly cast vote could affect the overall outcome, making training essential for legislators who have not previously participated in such elections.
Sources said nearly 100 NDA MLAs have never voted in a Rajya Sabha election before, prompting the leadership to organise the practice session to minimise the possibility of invalid votes.
Final strategy meeting planned
Later in the evening, NDA leaders and MLAs are expected to meet again for a dinner meeting at the residence of minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, where the final review of the alliance’s strategy will take place.
Party leaders are also expected to issue instructions to MLAs to ensure strict adherence to the voting plan during Monday’s election.
The election schedule states that polling will take place on March 16 from 9am to 4pm, with vote counting beginning at 5pm. The entire election process is expected to conclude by March 20.
Political signals from AIMIM iftar event
Meanwhile, political discussions have also been fuelled by the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)’s iftar gathering scheduled in Patna on Sunday evening.
A poster for the event featured the image of Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the opposition in the Bihar assembly, drawing attention across political circles. Yadav is expected to attend the gathering hosted by AIMIM’s Bihar state president Akhtarul Iman.
The development comes after a recent meeting between Tejashwi Yadav and Akhtarul Iman. Speaking after that meeting, Iman described the interaction as “positive”, adding that the final decision on political support would be taken by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi.
