Politics

Patna, February 21, 2026: Voting for the 2026 Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar is scheduled for March 16. While most seats seem straightforward for the major alliances, the contest for the fifth seat has turned into a high-stakes political chess game. Neither the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nor the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) has an outright advantage, placing Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM in a pivotal position. NDA’s Position The NDA, led by the BJP and JDU, can comfortably secure four Rajya Sabha seats using their assembly strength. However, the fifth seat poses a challenge. After allocating their votes for the first four, NDA will have only 10 votes remaining. Even if they bring in support from smaller allies—Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (19 votes), Upendra Kushwaha’s ...

Patna, February 21, 2026: The Brahmin community has once again emerged as a pivotal force in Hindi heartland politics. From Akhilesh Yadav’s “Prabuddh” campaign in Uttar Pradesh to heated debates in the Bihar Assembly, the value of Brahmin votes is increasingly seen as the key to power. Political parties across states are now vying for their support, reflecting the community’s rising influence in elections. Uttar Pradesh: Brahmin Votes Key to Victory In Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections are scheduled for next year, Brahmin votes hold immense sway. The Brahmin population, estimated at 11–13%, forms the largest segment among upper castes and plays a decisive role in over 100 assembly constituencies. Even leaders traditionally focused on Dalit and OBC politics, such as Akhilesh Ya...