By Kavita Sharma.
Photo Credit: The Suncity News.
Patna, June 6, 2026: LJP Ram Vilas, led by Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan, on Saturday announced the name of Ashraf Ansari as its candidate for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Council Elections.
The announcement was made following the directions of LJP Ram Vilas chief Chirag Paswan and completes the list of candidates from the NDA for the biennial Legislative Council polls and the associated by-election.
NDA finalizes all nine candidates with the announcement of LJP (Ram Vilas):
The BJP and JD(U) have already declared candidates for the polls.
BJP has fielded Bhojpuri Actor Pawan Singh, Sanjay Mayukh, Anil Kumar Thakur, and Sheila Pandit.
JD(U) has nominated Nishant Kumar, Bharti Mehta, Shivrani Prajapati and Lalan Prasad to contest the by-election.
A total of 10 seats will be contested in the Legislative Council elections, which are scheduled to be held on June 18.
According to the current strength of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, approximately 25 MLAs are required to elect one MLC. LJP Ram Vilas has 19 MLAs.
The NDA currently commands the support of around 201 MLAs, placing it in a strong position to secure eight seats comfortably and potentially a ninth seat, depending on voting dynamics.
Meanwhile, the opposition led by Rashtriya Janata Dal is also expected to remain competitive.
With its own legislators along with the support of Congress and Left parties, the RJD-led bloc is widely expected to secure at least one seat.
Major setback to Rashtriya Lok Morcha:
With the announcement of the LJP (Ram Vilas) candidate, it has triggered discussion over the absence of Panchayati Raj Minister Deepak Prakash, who is associated with Rashtriya Lok Morcha and the son of party chief Upendra Kushwaha.
His exclusion is being viewed as a significant setback for both him and his father, Upendra Kushwaha.
Deepak Prakash currently serves as a Panchayati Raj Minister in the Bihar Government but is not a member of either the Legislative Assembly or the Legislative Council.
Under Article 164(4) of the Constitution of India, a minister who is not a member of the state legislature must secure membership of either House within six months of appointment.
Failure to do so requires the minister to vacate office.
For this reason, the MLC election has been viewed as a crucial opportunity for Deepak Prakash to obtain legislative membership.
With the NDA having finalized all of its candidates and his name absent from the list, political observers believe it is now highly unlikely that he will enter the Legislative Council through this election, raising fresh questions about his constitution in the state cabinet.
The declaration of all nine NDA candidates effectively completes the alliance’s strategy for the upcoming Legislative Council elections.
The coalition has attempted to balance experienced political leaders, grassroots workers, women representatives, and popular public figures such as Pawan Singh.
EOM.
