Bihar’s Rajya Sabha showdown promises fireworks, especially over the contentious fifth seat. With NDA poised to dominate four, RJD is unleashing a Muslim outreach masterstroke by eyeing Hina Shahab as its nominee, aiming to lock in AIMIM’s five crucial votes.
Hina, widow of the once-feared Shahabuddin, carries symbolic weight. Her candidacy would appeal directly to AIMIM’s Muslim lawmakers, easing their hesitation through shared identity and historical connections – Shahabuddin enjoyed cordial relations with Owaisi. RJD leaders, though not yet official, are vocally endorsing her publicly.
The numbers game is stark. Bihar needs 41 votes per seat. NDA’s strength guarantees four but falters on the fifth without extras. Opposition’s 41 includes AIMIM’s bloc, making them kingmakers. Polls on March 16 will deliver swift results that evening.
AIMIM’s Imam plays coy, while NDA banks on BSP and IIP stragglers. Retiring members: JDU’s Thakur and Harivansh, RJD’s Gupta and Singh, RLM’s Kushwaha. NDA’s smaller partners squabble over crumbs, contrasting opposition’s unified push.
This saga reveals Bihar politics’ underbelly – where caste, community, and crossovers collide. RJD’s strategy could either forge a new opposition front or expose vulnerabilities, with national implications as Parliament’s balance tilts on such delicate dynamics.