BJP President Nitin Nabin Files Rajya Sabha Nomination in Patna

New Delhi/Patna, March 2026 : Nitin Nabin, the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Thursday filed his nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, marking a significant step toward his entry into the Upper House of Parliament.

Nitin Nabin submitted his nomination in Patna amid a strong show of support from senior leaders of the ruling alliance and party workers. The event gained additional political importance with the presence of Amit Shah, India’s Union Home Minister, who accompanied the BJP chief to the nomination venue. Shah’s presence was widely seen as a demonstration of the party leadership’s backing for Nabin as he prepares to enter national-level parliamentary politics.

The nomination filing also witnessed the participation of several prominent leaders from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Among those present were Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar, and the state’s two Deputy Chief Ministers — Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha. Their presence highlighted the united stance of the NDA ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections from the state.

Apart from Nitin Nabin, the BJP has also nominated Shivesh Kumar as another candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat from Bihar. In addition, Upendra Kushwaha, chief of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), has filed his nomination as an NDA-backed candidate. A total of five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar are set to be filled in the biennial elections.

Kushwaha’s entry into the race as an NDA nominee could potentially make the contest more competitive if the opposition alliance decides to field candidates. Political observers believe the situation may lead to an intense electoral battle, particularly if the Mahagathbandhan enters the fray with strong nominees.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Patna earlier in the day and was received by Nitin Nabin at his residence. During his visit, Shah also met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and exchanged greetings with him, reportedly congratulating the veteran leader as he begins what has been described as a new phase in his political career.

Before filing his nomination, Nitin Nabin began the day by visiting several prominent temples in Patna. He offered prayers at the revered Mahavir Mandir, as well as the Kali Temple and the Akhandvasini Devi Temple. At these temples, he sought divine blessings and prayed for strength to serve the public with dedication and integrity.

The Rajya Sabha election process is currently underway, with March 5 being the final date for filing nominations. Candidates will have the option to withdraw their nominations until March 9. Voting for the seats is scheduled to take place on March 16, with the counting of votes set to begin the same day at 5 p.m. The entire election process is expected to conclude by March 20.

Overall, the elections will result in the induction of 37 new members into the Rajya Sabha from ten states, including Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana. The terms of the outgoing members from these states are scheduled to end in April 2026, making the upcoming polls an important political exercise for several national and regional parties.