'Missing' MLAs Of Bihar: Meet The Mahagathbandhan Leaders Behind NDA's Unexpected Win in Rajya Sabha

Last Updated:March 17, 2026, 10:58 IST

Four opposition MLAs — three from the Congress and one from the RJD — failed to cast their votes in the Rajya Sabha election.

The Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan) in Bihar has been hit by fresh internal tensions after the Democratic Alliance (NDA) clinched the crucial fifth Rajya Sabha seat in voting held on Monday, exposing cracks between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and its ally, the Indian Congress. The contest, expected to go down to the wire, tilted decisively in the NDA’s favour after four opposition MLAs — three from the Congress and one from the RJD — failed to cast their votes, derailing the opposition’s arithmetic at the last moment. Their absence proved decisive in helping NDA-backed candidate Upendra Kushwaha defeat RJD nominee AD Singh.

While victories for leaders like Nitish Kumar and BJP candidates were not in doubt, the fifth seat had emerged as a prestige battle. The opposition had stitched together support beyond its own numbers, banking on backing from smaller parties to cross the required mark. However, despite allies holding firm, the unexpected no-shows upset the equation.

The development has sparked anger within the RJD, with leaders informally blaming the Congress for poor internal coordination. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, however, alleged foul play by the ruling alliance, claiming, “inducements were offered to lawmakers who either voted against the alliance or stayed away," and asserting, “we are prepared to fight them, and our struggle will continue."

At the end, the number game pinned on the four MLAs who went missing from the Rajya Sabha elections. Here’s who they were:

Surendra Prasad Kushwaha

Surendra Prasad Kushwaha is a Congress MLA who was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in the 2025 polls from the Valmiki Nagar constituency. He succeeded a JD(U) incumbent. His political career has been focused on grassroots representation in north-western Bihar. However, his absence during the crucial Rajya Sabha vote has now put the spotlight on his political positioning, raising questions within alliance circles about internal discipline and coordination at a time when every vote carried significant weight.

Manoj Bishwas

Manoj Biswas represents the Forbesganj constituency as an MLA from the Congress, having secured a closely fought victory in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. His win was significant for the Congress, particularly in the Seemanchal belt, where the party had been trying to revive its electoral footprint amid strong competition from the BJP. While Bishwas has not been known for shifting loyalties, he remained absent from the Rajya Sabha election voting, raising questions on his stand.

Manohar Prasad Singh

Manohar Prasad Singh is a Congress MLA from the Manihari constituency. His absence from the Rajya Sabha voting is being talked about more due to his fluid political journey. He was initially associated with the Janata Dal (United), aligning himself with the party during a phase when it held significant sway in Bihar under Nitish Kumar. His shift to the Indian Congress came later, reflecting the frequent realignments that characterise Bihar politics, where leaders often recalibrate affiliations based on changing caste equations, constituency dynamics, and alliance configurations.

Faisal Rahman

Faisal Rahman is a leader of the RJD and serves as MLA for the Dhaka constituency in East Champaran district. His background includes agriculture and social service, and he previously won the seat in 2015 before losing it in 2020 and then winning in 2025. In the recent Rajya Sabha vote absence, he said he had returned to Delhi due to his mother’s ill health.

News politics 'Missing' MLAs Of Bihar: Meet The Mahagathbandhan Leaders Behind NDA's Unexpected Win in Rajya Sabha

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