The results could strengthen the NDA’s position in the Upper House, with counting scheduled to take place later the same day
New Delhi: Voting for the biennial Rajya Sabha elections covering 37 seats across 10 states is being held on Monday, with intense contests expected in Bihar, Odisha and Haryana while several candidates are set to be elected unopposed.
Why are Rajya Sabha elections being held today?
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The biennial elections for the Upper House are being conducted for 37 seats across 10 states. These include seven seats in Maharashtra, six in Tamil Nadu, five each in West Bengal and Bihar, four in Odisha, three in Assam, two each in Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Telangana, and one seat in Himachal Pradesh.
While voting is required in some states, 26 seats across seven states are likely to be filled unopposed. The counting of votes will take place on the same day as polling.
Which states will see voting?
Voting will be required in Bihar, Odisha and Haryana, where political parties have been actively mobilising their legislators. These states together account for 11 seats.
The elections have triggered hectic political activity, with parties issuing whips and closely monitoring MLAs to prevent cross-voting.
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Who are the key candidates in Bihar?
In Bihar, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is confident of winning all five seats. Key candidates include:
- Nitish Kumar (JD-U)
- Nitin Nabin
- Upendra Kushwaha
- Ram Nath Thakur
- Shivesh Kumar
The opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is banking on support from Tejashwi Yadav, who has sought backing from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen and other parties.
The Rajya Sabha election in Odisha has turned into a high-stakes political contest. Two people were arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly attempting to bribe legislators after they reportedly approached Congress MLAs with a blank cheque.
At the same time, the Bharatiya Janata Party shifted its MLAs to Paradip for a training session on the Rajya Sabha voting procedure.
Meanwhile, Naveen Patnaik has been meeting party MLAs and urging them to avoid cross-voting.
In Haryana, the Congress moved its MLAs from resorts near Shimla to Kasauli amid tight security. The contest is between:
- Sanjay Bhatia
- Karamvir Singh Boudh
- Satish Nandal
Each candidate requires 31 votes from MLAs to secure a seat in the Upper House.
Several states will see candidates elected without a contest:
- Maharashtra – seven seats
- Tamil Nadu – six seats
- Telangana – two seats
- Chhattisgarh – two seats
- Assam – three seats
- Himachal Pradesh – one seat
Notable candidates likely to be elected unopposed include Abhishek Manu Singhvi in Telangana and Anbumani Ramadoss in Tamil Nadu.
What does this mean for the numbers in Rajya Sabha?
The NDA, which is currently in power in six of the states voting today, holds 134 seats in the 234-member Rajya Sabha and is expected to increase its strength.
The opposition INDIA bloc, which governs four of the states involved in the election, currently holds 80 seats in the Upper House.
The results of these elections will therefore play a role in shaping the balance of power in the Rajya Sabha in the coming months.
Published: 16 Mar 2026, 07:38 am IST
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