NDA's Upendra Kushwaha is confident of winning all five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, despite needing three more MLAs. RJD's Tejashwi Yadav claims his party has secured the necessary support from AIMIM and BSP to win one seat from the NDA.
NDA Expresses Confidence in Victory
Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief and NDA candidate for Rajya Sabha from Bihar, Upendra Kushwaha, on Monday expressed confidence that all five of the candidates of NDA will secure victory in the Rajya Sabha elections. NDA has eyed all five seats to the Rajya Sabha but lacks a clear majority for its fifth candidate. NDA needs three MLAs to vote across party lines, whereas RJD needs the support of six MLAs to achieve the 41 mark. "The counting is happening today itself, so the results will come in the same way that we have been repeatedly telling about... When RJD itself is gradually disappearing from the political scene of Bihar, then what can we say about their MLAs disappearing... The victory of all five NDA candidates is more than 100% certain," Upendra Kushwaha said.
RJD Asserts Strength, Claims Support
Meanwhile, RJD National Working President Tejashwi Yadav assured that his party has enough support to clinch a Rajya Sabha seat away from the NDA. "We are confident. Earlier, the strength of Mahagathbandhan was 35. To win, 41 is needed. BJP-NDA needed 3. But we accepted this challenge and chose to fight the BJP, not to cower before them. Colleagues from AIMIM and BSP have supported the RJD candidate. So, the strength now is 41," he said.
Key Candidates in the Fray
NDA candidates include Bihar's longest-tenured Chief Minister Nitish Kumar; RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha, BJP chief Nitin Nabin, Shivesh Ram and Ram Nath Thakur. RJD has nominated AD Singh for the seat.
More NDA Leaders Echo Confidence
Bihar Minister Shravan Kumar said, "Enthusiasm is being seen for voting because for the first time since 2014, legislators have got the opportunity to vote... This enthusiasm shows that people are voting in favour of the NDA... Everything will become clear in just two hours."
JDU leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary also exuded confidence that all five NDA candidates will secure victory. "Elections are underway, and the results are also clear. All five NDA candidates will win with a strong and decisive majority... It is also clear that some parties do not trust their own MLAs; some are confined to hotels, others have been taken elsewhere, but all NDA MLAs are freely moving, and there is complete trust in all five candidates, leaders, and MLAs. This is what will ensure our victory," he said.
The results will be out today. (ANI)
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