The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday announced Manan Kumar Mishra, the Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI) and a senior advocate at the Supreme Court, as the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) second candidate for the Rajya Sabha bypoll from Bihar. This decision follows the earlier announcement of former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha as the NDA’s first candidate.
Nominations and Election Process
Both Manan Mishra and Upendra Kushwaha are set to file their nomination papers on Wednesday, August 21, the final day for submitting nominations. The nomination papers will be scrutinized on August 22, and the bypolls are scheduled to take place on September 3.
The Rajya Sabha seats became vacant after BJP’s Vivek Thakur, elected from Nawada, and Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) Misa Bharti, elected from Pataliputra, moved to the Lok Sabha following the general elections held earlier this year.
NDA’s Stronghold on Both Seats
Considering the composition of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, which serves as the electoral college for the Rajya Sabha elections, it is highly likely that both seats will be secured by the NDA.
While Vivek Thakur’s Rajya Sabha seat has two years remaining in its term, Misa Bharti’s seat has four years left. As clarified by the Election Commission of India, each seat will be treated individually during the bypolls.
Manan Mishra: A Dark Horse Emerges
Manan Kumar Mishra, a native of Gopalganj, has served as the BCI chairman for a decade. He was unanimously elected as a member representative to the BCI for the third consecutive time. His selection as a Rajya Sabha candidate came as a surprise after a high-level meeting in New Delhi, attended by both Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, alongside other senior BJP leaders.
Mishra is expected to replace Misa Bharti in the Rajya Sabha, with a tenure of four years. His experience and long-standing association with the BCI are seen as significant assets for his new role in Parliament.
Upendra Kushwaha’s Return to Rajya Sabha
Upendra Kushwaha, who is set to replace Vivek Thakur, will serve a two-year term in the Rajya Sabha. This will mark his second stint in the upper house of Parliament. Kushwaha has previously been a member of the Lok Sabha, Bihar Legislative Assembly, and the Legislative Council, bringing extensive legislative experience to his upcoming role.
With these selections, the BJP aims to strengthen its representation in the Rajya Sabha and continue its influence in Bihar’s political landscape.
