Rajya Sabha elections LIVE: 3 INDIA Bloc MLAs 'missing' in Bihar Assembly as voting continues in Haryana, Odisha

• March 16, 2026 13:24 Voting underway in Odisha Assembly for 4 RS seats in Odisha, amid cross-voting fear Polling for four Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha is underway in the Assembly complex on Monday (March 16, 2026), with the opposition BJD and Congress accusing the ruling BJP of indulging in “horse trading”.As the voting commenced at 9 a.m., Health and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling was first to cast his ballot, followed by Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, who returned to Odisha after a treatment in Delhi.Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik also cast his vote while several MLAs were in the queue to exercise their franchise at the polling booth on the Assembly premises.- PTI

Polling for four Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha is underway in the Assembly complex on Monday (March 16, 2026), with the opposition BJD and Congress accusing the ruling BJP of indulging in “horse trading”.

As the voting commenced at 9 a.m., Health and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling was first to cast his ballot, followed by Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, who returned to Odisha after a treatment in Delhi.

Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik also cast his vote while several MLAs were in the queue to exercise their franchise at the polling booth on the Assembly premises.

• March 16, 2026 13:21 Nitish Kumar to continue being JD-U chief Ahead of Nitish Kumar’s new beginning in the Rajya Sabha, notifications were issued for the upcoming poll to choose the new JD-U chief, if necessary. This position was held by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for several years. The notification said that the poll will be held on March 27, 2026.However, party sources said the position of party chief will once again be held by Mr. Kumar.- Amit Bhelari

Ahead of Nitish Kumar’s new beginning in the Rajya Sabha, notifications were issued for the upcoming poll to choose the new JD-U chief, if necessary. This position was held by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for several years. The notification said that the poll will be held on March 27, 2026.However, party sources said the position of party chief will once again be held by Mr. Kumar.

- Amit Bhelari

• March 16, 2026 12:47 Odisha | BJD MLA Souvic Biswal on a 'vow of silence'​​BJD MLA Souvic Biswal, who represents the Choudwar–Cuttack Assembly constituency, arrived at the Odisha Assembly to cast his vote along with his wife. She told reporters that he would not be responding to any media queries as he has taken a ‘vow of silence’.- Satyasundar Barik

​​BJD MLA Souvic Biswal, who represents the Choudwar–Cuttack Assembly constituency, arrived at the Odisha Assembly to cast his vote along with his wife. She told reporters that he would not be responding to any media queries as he has taken a ‘vow of silence’.

- Satyasundar Barik

• March 16, 2026 12:47 Odisha | BJD leader Naveen Patnaik accuses election officials of accepting invalid voteIn a controversial incident during a recent voting session in Brahmagiri, Odisha, Leader of Opposition and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik accused election officials of improperly accepting a second ballot from MLA Upasana Mohapatra, despite her apparent voting mistake.“The lady MLA of Brahmagiri [Upasana Mohapatra] has made clear mistake while voting, but the officers sitting in voting room who were in-charge of this have illegally accepted her vote and issued a second ballot paper. This is totally against the democratic norms and violation of election rules. We are objecting to it strongly, some of our members with their authorisation slip, thereby totally destroying democratic election process,” Mr. Patnaik said. — Satyasundar Barik

In a controversial incident during a recent voting session in Brahmagiri, Odisha, Leader of Opposition and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik accused election officials of improperly accepting a second ballot from MLA Upasana Mohapatra, despite her apparent voting mistake.

“The lady MLA of Brahmagiri [Upasana Mohapatra] has made clear mistake while voting, but the officers sitting in voting room who were in-charge of this have illegally accepted her vote and issued a second ballot paper. This is totally against the democratic norms and violation of election rules. We are objecting to it strongly, some of our members with their authorisation slip, thereby totally destroying democratic election process,” Mr. Patnaik said. — Satyasundar Barik

• March 16, 2026 12:45 Odisha | ‘Voted for whoever I wished,’ says Sanakhemundi MLA Ramesh Jena The voting for the RS polls is being held in the State after a gap of 12 years, as this time, five candidates are in the fray for the four seats which will fall vacant on April 2.When Congress MLA from Sanakhemundi Ramesh Jena was questioned whether he had followed the party whip while voting, he responded by saying, “I have voted for whoever I wished.”In the 147-member Odisha Assembly, the BJP has 79 MLAs and the support of three Independents, while the BJD has 48 members after the suspension of two of its legislators on January 15. The Congress has 14 MLAs and one member of CPI(M). — Satyasundar Barik

The voting for the RS polls is being held in the State after a gap of 12 years, as this time, five candidates are in the fray for the four seats which will fall vacant on April 2.

When Congress MLA from Sanakhemundi Ramesh Jena was questioned whether he had followed the party whip while voting, he responded by saying, “I have voted for whoever I wished.”

In the 147-member Odisha Assembly, the BJP has 79 MLAs and the support of three Independents, while the BJD has 48 members after the suspension of two of its legislators on January 15. The Congress has 14 MLAs and one member of CPI(M). — Satyasundar Barik

• March 16, 2026 12:31 Bihar | RJD MLA Ranvijay Sahu claims NDA Is 'off the radar' Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Ranvijay Sahu described the Rajya Sabha elections as significant not just for the Rajya Sabha but for Bihar and the country, and said NDA was “off the radar”.He said, “No one is off the radar; the NDA people have gone off the radar... The numbers will go up to 50. We have the support of the people... All the alliance partners are with us...” — ANI

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Ranvijay Sahu described the Rajya Sabha elections as significant not just for the Rajya Sabha but for Bihar and the country, and said NDA was “off the radar”.

He said, “No one is off the radar; the NDA people have gone off the radar... The numbers will go up to 50. We have the support of the people... All the alliance partners are with us...” — ANI

• March 16, 2026 12:21 Bihar | Bihar Minister Mohd. Zama Khan confident of JDU-BJP winning RS electionsBihar Minister Mohd. Zama Khan expressed confidence in the JDU-BJP alliance winning the Rajya Sabha elections, thanking the people of Bihar for their support. He said, “I want to thank all the people of Bihar for their blessings, due to which we are going to win the Rajya Sabha elections.“He added, “Many people are with us who like development, who like the way our government works. I will definitely say that many companions are in touch with us because they want development.” — ANI

Bihar Minister Mohd. Zama Khan expressed confidence in the JDU-BJP alliance winning the Rajya Sabha elections, thanking the people of Bihar for their support. He said, “I want to thank all the people of Bihar for their blessings, due to which we are going to win the Rajya Sabha elections.

“He added, “Many people are with us who like development, who like the way our government works. I will definitely say that many companions are in touch with us because they want development.” — ANI

• March 16, 2026 11:59 Bihar | Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) MLAs seen coming out LoP Tejaswi Yadav's chambersBefore casting the vote, two MLAs of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), which is a part of the NDA, Deepa Kumari and Jyoti Devi, were seen coming out from the chamber of Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav. Deepa Kumari is the daughter-in-law of Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Jyoti Devi is Deepa’s mother.- Amit Bhelari

Before casting the vote, two MLAs of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), which is a part of the NDA, Deepa Kumari and Jyoti Devi, were seen coming out from the chamber of Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav. Deepa Kumari is the daughter-in-law of Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Jyoti Devi is Deepa’s mother.

- Amit Bhelari

• March 16, 2026 11:44 Which law requires a suspended MLA to comply with a whip issued by the party?: Sanatan Mahakud “I was suspended from the BJD, and subsequently my seat in the House was also changed,” said Sanatan Mahakud, Champua MLA. “The party never contacted me regarding who the candidates were or whom I should vote for. I have already stated that I would not run behind the BJD. “Which law requires a suspended MLA to comply with a whip issued by the party? I have voted keeping in mind the best future of the State,” he said.- Satyasundar Barik

“I was suspended from the BJD, and subsequently my seat in the House was also changed,” said Sanatan Mahakud, Champua MLA. “The party never contacted me regarding who the candidates were or whom I should vote for. I have already stated that I would not run behind the BJD.

“Which law requires a suspended MLA to comply with a whip issued by the party? I have voted keeping in mind the best future of the State,” he said.

- Satyasundar Barik

• March 16, 2026 11:42 Odisha: BJD, Congress absentee MLAs reach Assembly to vote BJD MLAs, Chakramani Kanhar and Naba Kishor Mallick, who weren’t in touch with the party for the past three days, reached the Odisha Legislative Assembly for the Rajya Sabha elections.Dasarathi Gomango, Congress MLA who was issued multiple notices for not attending party meetings, also appeared in the Odisha Legislative Assembly for voting.- Satyasundar Barik

BJD MLAs, Chakramani Kanhar and Naba Kishor Mallick, who weren’t in touch with the party for the past three days, reached the Odisha Legislative Assembly for the Rajya Sabha elections.

Dasarathi Gomango, Congress MLA who was issued multiple notices for not attending party meetings, also appeared in the Odisha Legislative Assembly for voting.

- Satyasundar Barik

• March 16, 2026 11:38 Congress tries to contact two MLAs who aren't in Assembly to cast voteCongress leaders are trying hard to contact their two MLAs, Manoj Bishwas from Forbesganj and Surendra Prasad from Valmikinagar Assembly seat, as they have not reached the Assembly premises to cast their vote. One RJD MLA, Faisal Rahman, from the Dhaka Assembly seat is also not present. NDA requires three votes to win all five Rajya Sabha seats.- Amit Bhelari

Congress leaders are trying hard to contact their two MLAs, Manoj Bishwas from Forbesganj and Surendra Prasad from Valmikinagar Assembly seat, as they have not reached the Assembly premises to cast their vote.

One RJD MLA, Faisal Rahman, from the Dhaka Assembly seat is also not present. NDA requires three votes to win all five Rajya Sabha seats.

- Amit Bhelari

• March 16, 2026 11:35 'Collegues from AIMIM, BSP supports RJD candidate': Tejashwi Yadav confident of A.D. Singh's win in RS pollsRJD National Working President Tejashwi Yadav assured that his party has enough support to clinch a Rajya Sabha seat away from the NDA.RJD and its alliance have 35 MLAs in the Assembly but require the support of 41 MLAs to send its candidate, A.D. Singh, to the Rajya Sabha.Tejashwi Yadav said that AIMIM and BSP, which have six seats and one seat respectively, have extended their support for the RJD candidates.“We are confident. Earlier, the strength of Mahagathbandha 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.- ANI

RJD National Working President Tejashwi Yadav assured that his party has enough support to clinch a Rajya Sabha seat away from the NDA.

RJD and its alliance have 35 MLAs in the Assembly but require the support of 41 MLAs to send its candidate, A.D. Singh, to the Rajya Sabha.

Tejashwi Yadav said that AIMIM and BSP, which have six seats and one seat respectively, have extended their support for the RJD candidates.

“We are confident. Earlier, the strength of Mahagathbandha 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.

• March 16, 2026 11:34 'Victory of all five NDA candidates more than 100% certain': Upendra Kushwaha Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief and NDA candidate for Rajya Sabha from Bihar, Upendra Kushwaha, on Monday (March 16, 2026), expressed confidence that all five of the candidates of NDA will secure victory in the Rajya Sabha elections.“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,” Mr. Kushwaha said.- ANI

Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief and NDA candidate for Rajya Sabha from Bihar, Upendra Kushwaha, on Monday (March 16, 2026), expressed confidence that all five of the candidates of NDA will secure victory in the Rajya Sabha elections.

“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,” Mr. Kushwaha said.

• March 16, 2026 11:32 Bihar: 'All five NDA candidates will win', predicts BJP's Sanjay SaraogiPolitical leaders expressed confidence over the outcome of the Rajya Sabha elections as voting for five seats from Bihar is underway, with both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition asserting their chances of victory.Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi exuded confidence that all NDA candidates would win the Rajya Sabha polls in the State. “All five seats are going to go to the account of Bihar’s NDA. When we are about to leave after the counting of votes, all five of our leaders will leave as Rajya Sabha members; there is no doubt about this,” he said.Mr. Saraogi also targeted the Opposition, claiming that it lacked confidence in its legislators. “They [The RJD] do not have trust in their MLAs... Only the people of the Mahagathbandhan can tell why they have kept their MLAs tied up,” he added.- ANI

Political leaders expressed confidence over the outcome of the Rajya Sabha elections as voting for five seats from Bihar is underway, with both the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition asserting their chances of victory.

Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi exuded confidence that all NDA candidates would win the Rajya Sabha polls in the State. “All five seats are going to go to the account of Bihar’s NDA. When we are about to leave after the counting of votes, all five of our leaders will leave as Rajya Sabha members; there is no doubt about this,” he said.

Mr. Saraogi also targeted the Opposition, claiming that it lacked confidence in its legislators. “They [The RJD] do not have trust in their MLAs... Only the people of the Mahagathbandhan can tell why they have kept their MLAs tied up,” he added.

• March 16, 2026 11:20 Bihar: Mokama MLA Anant Singh casts vote, says he won't contest next Assembly ElectionsMokama MLA Anant Singh reached Bihar Legislative Assembly premises in a prisoner van to cast his vote. After voting, Mr. Singh said that he will not contest the next Assembly elections. He asserted that his children will contest the elections.- Amit Bhelari

Mokama MLA Anant Singh reached Bihar Legislative Assembly premises in a prisoner van to cast his vote. After voting, Mr. Singh said that he will not contest the next Assembly elections. He asserted that his children will contest the elections.

- Amit Bhelari

• March 16, 2026 11:11 'All leaders of Bihar united, NDA candidates going to win': BJP Rajya Sabha candidate Shivesh Ram BJP Rajya Sabha candidate from Bihar Shivesh Ram on Monday (March 16, 2026) exuded confidence that all five candidates of NDA, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, will secure a comfortable victory as all the MLAs of the alliance are united.Speaking to the reporters, Mr. Ram said, “Behind us, Prime Minister Modi is working on the development of the country. All leaders of Bihar are united, and very good results are going to come in the evening. All five NDA candidates are going to win. Victory is absolutely certain because we are united and the opposition is not united, that is what I know,” he said.- ANI

BJP Rajya Sabha candidate from Bihar Shivesh Ram on Monday (March 16, 2026) exuded confidence that all five candidates of NDA, including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, will secure a comfortable victory as all the MLAs of the alliance are united.

Speaking to the reporters, Mr. Ram said, “Behind us, Prime Minister Modi is working on the development of the country. All leaders of Bihar are united, and very good results are going to come in the evening. All five NDA candidates are going to win. Victory is absolutely certain because we are united and the opposition is not united, that is what I know,” he said.

• March 16, 2026 10:59 Anticipated the end of JD(U) as soon as Nitish Kumar left INDIA bloc: Tejaswi YadavLeader of Opposition in Bihar Tejaswi Yadav expressed sympathy to Former CM Nitish Kumar after the BJP “sent him to Rajya Sabha so he can be removed from the post of CM.”“BJP has done something similar to the Maharashtra model in Bihar by sending Nitish Kumar to Rajya Sabha so that he can be removed from the post of CM,” Mr. Yadav said after voting for Rajya Sabha.“I have my full sympathy for him. When Nitish ji was leaving the INDIA bloc to form the government with the BJP, that time itself, I had anticipated that in the days to come, Janata Dal (United) would be finished.- Amit Bhelari

Leader of Opposition in Bihar Tejaswi Yadav expressed sympathy to Former CM Nitish Kumar after the BJP “sent him to Rajya Sabha so he can be removed from the post of CM.”

“BJP has done something similar to the Maharashtra model in Bihar by sending Nitish Kumar to Rajya Sabha so that he can be removed from the post of CM,” Mr. Yadav said after voting for Rajya Sabha.

“I have my full sympathy for him. When Nitish ji was leaving the INDIA bloc to form the government with the BJP, that time itself, I had anticipated that in the days to come, Janata Dal (United) would be finished.

- Amit Bhelari

• March 16, 2026 10:14 Haryana: Voting underway for two Rajya Sabha seats Voting was underway on Monday (March 16, 2026) for the two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana, with a candidate each from the BJP, Congress and an Independent in the fray.BJP’s Sanjay Bhatia, Karamvir Singh Boudh of the Congress and Independent candidate Satish Nandal are in the fray for the two seats. The BJP is backing Nandal for the second seat.Nandal had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 assembly polls as a BJP nominee and is currently designated as one of the party’s state vice presidents.Polling is being held between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and votes will be counted from 5 p.m. onwards.

Voting was underway on Monday (March 16, 2026) for the two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana, with a candidate each from the BJP, Congress and an Independent in the fray.

BJP’s Sanjay Bhatia, Karamvir Singh Boudh of the Congress and Independent candidate Satish Nandal are in the fray for the two seats. The BJP is backing Nandal for the second seat.

Nandal had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 assembly polls as a BJP nominee and is currently designated as one of the party’s state vice presidents.

Polling is being held between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and votes will be counted from 5 p.m. onwards.

• March 16, 2026 09:41 Polling begins for 5 Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, says official; CM Nitish Kumar, BJP chief in fray Voting for five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar has begun, according to an official, with five nominees from the ruling NDA and one from the Opposition RJD contesting the biennial polls.Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin are among the NDA candidates.The other three nominees from the ruling coalition are Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha, both sitting members of the Rajya Sabha, and BJP’s Shivesh Kumar, who is seeking a berth in the Upper House of Parliament for the first time.With numbers comfortably in favour of the NDA for four seats and marginally short for the fifth, the Opposition forced an election by fielding RJD’s Amarendra Dhari Singh.- PTI

Voting for five Rajya Sabha seats from Bihar has begun, according to an official, with five nominees from the ruling NDA and one from the Opposition RJD contesting the biennial polls.

Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin are among the NDA candidates.

The other three nominees from the ruling coalition are Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha, both sitting members of the Rajya Sabha, and BJP’s Shivesh Kumar, who is seeking a berth in the Upper House of Parliament for the first time.

With numbers comfortably in favour of the NDA for four seats and marginally short for the fifth, the Opposition forced an election by fielding RJD’s Amarendra Dhari Singh.

• March 16, 2026 08:37 Rajya Sabha poll: All six candidates from Tamil Nadu elected unopposed Rajya Sabha poll: All six candidates from Tamil Nadu elected unopposedSix candidates, including Tiruchi Siva and M. Thambi Durai, elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu.

Rajya Sabha poll: All six candidates from Tamil Nadu elected unopposed

Six candidates, including Tiruchi Siva and M. Thambi Durai, elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu.

• March 16, 2026 08:36 Rajya Sabha polls round-up: Three of 11 seats set for close fight Rajya Sabha polls round up: Three of eleven seats up for grabs to see close fightBihar, Haryana and Odisha pose a test of unity for the Opposition as BJP eyes extra seats

Rajya Sabha polls round up: Three of eleven seats up for grabs to see close fight

Bihar, Haryana and Odisha pose a test of unity for the Opposition as BJP eyes extra seats

Published - March 16, 2026 08:35 am IST

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