BJP National President Nitin Nabin offered prayers at the Mahaveer Hanuman Temple in Patna on Thursday morning before filing his nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections. Accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the 45-year-old leader is transitioning from the Bihar Assembly to the Upper House of Parliament. Nabin, a five-term MLA from Bankipur, currently serves as the youngest National President in the history of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Important Schedule and Rules for Rajya Sabha Polls
The Election Commission of India has scheduled the polling for five vacant seats in Bihar on March 16. Today, March 5, is the final day for candidates to submit their nomination papers at the Bihar Assembly. Official rules state that voters must use only the integrated violet color sketch pens provided by the Returning Officer to mark their preferences during the election.
- Nomination Deadline: Thursday, March 5, 2026
- Scrutiny of Papers: Friday, March 6, 2026
- Withdrawal Deadline: Monday, March 9, 2026
- Polling Date: March 16, 2026 (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
- Counting of Votes: March 16, 2026 (Starts at 5:00 PM)
Political Impact and Strategic Shift in Bihar
Nitin Nabin’s move to the Rajya Sabha marks a significant change as he will now focus on national organizational duties in New Delhi. This transition requires his resignation from the Bankipur assembly seat, which will eventually lead to a by-election in the constituency. Along with Nabin, the BJP has fielded Shivesh Kumar as its second candidate from the state of Bihar.
| Candidate Name | Current Designation | Political Role |
|---|---|---|
| Nitin Nabin | BJP National President | RS Candidate |
| Shivesh Kumar | BJP General Secretary | RS Candidate |
| Amit Shah | Union Home Minister | Official Support |