The Rajya Sabha Election 2026 was held on Monday to fill 37 seats across 10 states. While many candidates were elected without voting, Parliament Rajya Sabha Voting was needed for 11 seats in states like Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana. One of the biggest highlights was the victory of nitish kumar, who remains a key political figure in Bihar.
Rajya Sabha Election: Key Highlights
The Rajya Sabha Election saw mixed results across different states. Several candidates won easily without facing competition, while others had to go through Parliament Rajya Sabha Voting.
- Total seats: 37
- States involved: 10
- Voting required: 11 seats
- Major states with voting: Bihar (5), Odisha (4), Haryana (2)
In many cases, candidates secured victory unopposed due to strong party support or lack of challengers.
Nitish Kumar’s Big Win in Bihar
One of the biggest stories of this Rajya Sabha Election is the victory of nitish kumar, Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister. His win highlights his continued influence in state and national politics.
Bihar Results Overview
In Bihar, five seats were contested through Parliament Rajya Sabha Voting. The winners include:
- Nitish Kumar – JD(U)
- Nitin Nabin – BJP
- Ram Nath Thakur – JD(U)
- Shivesh Kumar – BJP
- Upendra Kushwaha – RLM
The results show strong performance by NDA-backed candidates. Reports suggest that cross-voting and absence of some opposition members played a key role.
NDA Gains Edge in Odisha
The Rajya Sabha Election results in Odisha also favored NDA-supported candidates. Out of four contested seats:
- Manmohan Samal – BJP
- Sujeet Kumar – BJP
- Santrupt Misra – BJD
The opposition faced setbacks here as well. Cross-voting and internal divisions affected their chances during Parliament Rajya Sabha Voting.
Many Candidates Win Unopposed
A major trend in this Rajya Sabha Election was the large number of unopposed victories. This means no voting was required in several states.
Key Unopposed Winners
- M Thambidurai (DMK)
- Abhishek Singhvi (Congress)
These wins show strong party control in certain regions, where opposition candidates either did not contest or lacked enough support.
West Bengal: TMC Dominates
In West Bengal, four candidates from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) were elected without any contest in the Rajya Sabha Election.
Notable Winners
- Babul Supriyo
- Rajeev Kumar (former DGP)
- Menaka Guruswamy (Supreme Court lawyer)
- Koel Mallick (actor)
Additionally, BJP leader Rahul Sinha was also elected unopposed.
Menaka Guruswamy’s win is historic, as she becomes India’s first openly queer Member of Parliament.
Maharashtra and Southern States Updates
Maharashtra
All seven candidates won without voting in this Rajya Sabha Election. These include:
- Six candidates from the ruling Mahayuti alliance
- Sharad Pawar from NCP (SP)
Telangana
Congress candidates:
- Abhishek Singhvi
- Vem Narender Reddy
Both were elected unopposed.
Tamil Nadu
All six candidates secured victory without contest, including leaders from DMK, AIADMK, Congress, PMK, and DMDK.
Himachal Pradesh Result
In Himachal Pradesh, Congress candidate Anurag Sharma won his seat successfully. He is known to be a close associate of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.
Why This Rajya Sabha Election Matters
This is important for several reasons:
1. Strength in Parliament
The results will impact the balance of power in the Upper House. Stronger numbers help parties pass laws more easily.
2. NDA Advantage
NDA-backed candidates performed well, especially in Bihar and Odisha. This could strengthen their position in national politics.
3. Role of Cross-Voting
Cross-voting and absence of opposition members influenced outcomes in key states. This shows internal challenges within opposition parties.
