India’s ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a majority of seats in Rajya Sabha elections held on Monday across several states, including a clean sweep in Bihar, according to media reports.
The NDA secured all five seats in Bihar, three in Odisha and one in Haryana. Regional party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) won one seat in Odisha, while the Congress took one in Haryana.
Elections were held for 37 seats in the Upper House across 10 states, though voting was required in only 11 contests. Twenty-six candidates from seven states were elected unopposed.
In Bihar, those elected on NDA tickets included Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nitin Nabin and Janata Dal (United) chief and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, along with Shivesh Kumar, Ramnath Thakur and Upendra Kushwaha.
Kumar, who took office as chief minister for a record 10th time in November, is expected to step down from the post following his election to the Rajya Sabha, local media reported.
In Odisha, BJP state president Manmohan Samal and party leader Sujeet Kumar were among the winners. Independent candidate Dilip Ray, backed by the BJP, also secured a seat. The BJD’s Santrupt Misra won the remaining seat.
The results in Odisha came amid allegations of cross-voting. BJD chief Naveen Patnaik accused the BJP of engaging in “horse-trading”, while Congress leaders claimed some of their legislators voted in favour of BJP-backed candidates.
In Haryana, BJP’s Sanjay Bhatia and Congress candidate Karamvir Boudh were declared elected after counting extended past midnight following complaints from both parties.
The BJP alleged that two Congress legislators violated ballot secrecy rules, while the Congress raised similar concerns regarding a BJP minister’s vote. The dispute delayed counting by several hours.
In the 90-member Haryana Assembly, 88 legislators cast their votes, with two members abstaining.
The latest results are expected to strengthen the NDA’s position in the Rajya Sabha. More vacancies in the Upper House are due later this year.