Two newly elected Independent MLCs in Bihar support BJP
Independent candidates Rahul Raj and Banshidhar Brajwasi extended their support to the BJP after defeating JD(U) candidates.
Newly elected Independent MLCs Rahul Raj and Banshidhar Brajwasi extended their support to the ruling BJP on Saturday, according to The Hindu. The two members attended a BJP State legislature meeting in Patna on October 31, 2026.
Banshidhar Brajwasi won the Tirhut Graduate seat by defeating JD(U) candidate Abhishek Jha by more than 9,000 votes. Rahul Raj won the Saran Teachers constituency by defeating JD(U) candidate Anand Pushkar by 1,800 votes.
Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi formally welcomed the two MLCs into the party in the presence of Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. Also present were party Bihar in-charge Harish Dwivedi and national secretaries Roshan Gupta and Sangeeta Yadav.
The elections for eight legislative council constituencies were held on October 23, 2026, with results announced between October 27 and October 29. The term of the MLCs whose seats were up for election ends on November 16.
Political analyst and former Patna University professor Nawal Kishore Choudhary said the support of the two Independent MLCs has significant political meaning as they defeated JD(U) candidates.
The opposition RJD alleged that the move is a money game by the BJP to lure Independent candidates into the party. JD(U) leaders have not commented on the matter.