BJP announces nine nominees for biennial Rajya Sabha polls; party president Nabin nominated from Bihar

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) nominated its national president, Nitin Nabin, for Rajya Sabha polls from Bihar. Mr. Nabin’s nomination was announced along with eight other names.

The Election Commission will hold biennial elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 States on March 16.

The ruling BJP is set to gain seats in the Upper House following the elections, as it has governments or is in alliance in six of the 10 States.

The States where the seats are falling vacant in April are Maharashtra (seven), Tamil Nadu (six), West Bengal (five), Bihar (five), Odisha (four), Assam (three), Telangana (two), Chhattisgarh (two), Haryana (two), and Himachal Pradesh (one).

BJP’s list on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) includes the following names:

1. Nitin Nabin (Bihar)
2. Shivesh Kumar (Bihar)
3. Terash Gowalla (Assam)
4. Jogen Mohan (Assam)
5. Laxmi Verma (Chhattisgarh)
6. Sanjay Bhatia (Haryana)
7. Manmohan Samal (Odisha)
8. Sujeet Kumar (Odisha)
9. Rahul Sinha (West Bengal)