Three RLM MLAs Back Ram Pukar Sinha Over JD(U)’s Anand Pushkar

Three of the four Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) MLAs in Bihar have decided to support their party’s candidate, Ram Pukar Sinha, in the Saran Teachers constituency instead of the JD(U)’s candidate, Anand Pushkar, in the upcoming Legislative Council election.

The decision adds a point of friction within the ruling NDA, of which the RLM is an ally in Bihar, even as the party’s MLAs have maintained that they will remain with the alliance.

RLM MLAs back their own candidate

Anand Madhav, one of the three RLM MLAs supporting Sinha, said the decision was taken out of “respect” for party workers.

He asserted that the MLAs would continue to remain with the NDA, indicating that their support for the RLM candidate was not being presented as a decision to leave the ruling alliance.

The fourth RLM MLA is Snehlata Kushwaha, who is the wife of RLM chief and Rajya Sabha member Upendra Kushwaha.

The RLM, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), which are the other ruling NDA allies, have announced their support for NDA candidates.

Nitish Kumar attempts to resolve JD(U) differences

Former Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar is currently meeting Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, the party MP from Munger and Union Minister, apparently in a final attempt to resolve differences between JD(U) MLA Anant Singh and MLC Neeraj Kumar.

Anant Singh, who is considered close to Lalan Singh, has announced his support for Opposition Jan Suraaj Party candidate Anuj Kumar Singh.

Lalan Singh may take a final decision on ending the rift, failing which the party could take action against Anant Singh.

Lalan Singh is scheduled to leave for Delhi on Monday (October 5, 2026) afternoon.

Neeraj Kumar, the JD(U)’s candidate from the Patna Graduate constituency, is considered close to Nitish Kumar.

Nitish Kumar recently gave his approval to Neeraj Kumar’s candidature for the upcoming Legislative Council election.

Neeraj Kumar left his residence on Monday to file his nomination papers.

Eight Council seats to be contested

Elections for eight seats in the Bihar Legislative Council, which are falling vacant on November 16, are scheduled for October 23.

The BJP and JD(U) have fielded candidates for four seats each.

The arrangement gives the two parties the principal share of the NDA’s announced candidates, while the alliance partners have declared support for NDA nominees.

October 6 is the last date for filing nominations.

Some BJP candidates, including Nawal Kishore Yadav from the Patna Teachers constituency, are also scheduled to file their nomination papers on Monday, October 5.

The RLM’s decision in the Saran Teachers constituency and Anant Singh’s support for an Opposition candidate therefore come as the NDA’s nomination process is still under way.

Source: The Hindu