TVK chief Vijay rules out alliances, says ‘no compromise on secular social justice principles’ The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party chief, Vijay, has dismissed rumors about his party joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Speaking at an iftar event organized by the party in Mamallapuram, 60 kilometers south of Chennai, Vijay emphasized that his party remains committed to its principles of secular social justice and will not align with any alliance. Vijay addressed persistent rumors that his party was associated with other political groups, stating that such claims were baseless. He clarified, “Rumours were being spread that we were part of this team and that team. There is no such team. We belong only to the people’s team.” He further noted that attempts to discredit the party through false narratives had failed, and the recent claims of an alliance were part of a deliberate campaign to undermine their credibility. The leader reiterated his party’s stance on maintaining secular values and social justice, asserting that there is “no room for compromise in our politics.” Vijay also expressed confidence in the party’s ability to lead the state government if voted into power, stating, “With the blessing of God, we will achieve our target.” This declaration comes amid ongoing discussions about the political landscape in Tamil Nadu, where TVK is positioning itself as a key player. The party’s focus on secularism and social justice has been a central theme in its campaign, distinguishing it from other regional parties. Vijay’s remarks underscore his determination to uphold these principles despite external pressures and misinformation.#vijay #tamil_nadu #national_democratic_alliance #tvk #mamallapuram
Cross-voting Aids NDA In Rs Polls The Rajya Sabha elections highlighted the challenges faced by the opposition in maintaining unity, with cross-voting playing a pivotal role in securing seats for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Odisha and Bihar. In Bihar, the Grand Alliance’s lone candidate, RJD’s Amarendra Dhari Singh, lost the contest after four opposition legislators—three from Congress and one from RJD—absented themselves. Their absence cost the alliance a seat, as Singh would have secured 41 votes against the required threshold of 40 if they had participated. The outcome contrasted with the 2014 elections, where JD(U) candidates overcame cross-voting by party MLAs to defeat BJP-backed independents. In Odisha, cross-voting delivered a decisive victory to BJP-backed Independent Dilip Ray, who secured the fourth Rajya Sabha seat. The BJP’s success was attributed to 11 instances of cross-voting, with eight from BJD members and three from Congress. This disrupted the arithmetic of the BJD and Congress alliance, which had initially planned to secure two seats. BJD, with 50 MLAs, had the strength to win one seat independently and had tied with Congress’s 14 MLAs for a second. However, the cross-voting shifted the balance, allowing Ray to triumph over BJD and Congress’s joint candidate Datteswar Hota. BJD president Naveen Patnaik accused BJP of “horse-trading,” claiming that most non-BJP MLAs who supported the governing party had “criminal backgrounds.” Bihar’s Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, dismissed Patnaik’s remarks as “immature,” stating they insulted both MLAs and voters.#odisha #bjp #rajya_sabha #bihar #national_democratic_alliance
Rajya Sabha elections: NDA secures key victories in Bihar, Odisha; close contest in Haryana The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) emerged as the dominant force in the March 16, 2026 Rajya Sabha elections, securing significant wins in Bihar, Odisha, and a closely contested race in Haryana. The results, announced on March 17, 2026, highlighted the NDA’s strong performance in key states, while the political landscape in Haryana remained tightly contested. The election outcomes underscored the NDA’s ability to consolidate support across diverse regions. In Bihar, the alliance’s candidates captured multiple seats, reinforcing their stronghold in the state. Similarly, Odisha saw a strong showing, with the NDA securing several crucial constituencies. These victories are seen as a testament to the alliance’s organizational strength and voter alignment with its policies. In contrast, Haryana’s results reflected a more competitive scenario. While the NDA managed to win some seats, the opposition parties, particularly the Indian National Congress, mounted a vigorous challenge. The tight race in Haryana indicates a shift in voter sentiment, with the state’s electorate showing a preference for diverse political options. Analysts suggest that the outcome in Haryana could influence the broader national political dynamics, especially as the state is a key battleground for future elections. The election results also highlight the evolving political strategies of the NDA and its allies. With the focus on regional representation, the alliance’s success in Bihar and Odisha may bolster its position in upcoming state assemblies. Meanwhile, the close contest in Haryana signals the need for the opposition to regroup and address voter concerns more effectively.#odisha #haryana #bihar #rajya_sabha_elections #national_democratic_alliance
RJD Rank And File Turns Against Congress After Rajya Sabha Poll Defeat The recent Rajya Sabha election in Bihar has sparked significant tensions within the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), with rank-and-file members expressing deep frustration over the party's defeat. The loss is attributed to the absence of three Congress MLAs and one RJD member during the voting process, which allowed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to secure the seat. This outcome has intensified internal conflicts between the RJD and Congress, with the RJD blaming the Congress for the defeat and accusing the party of internal discord that undermined their collective efforts. The election results highlighted the strategic challenges faced by the Grand Alliance, which included the RJD, Congress, and other regional parties. Despite efforts to consolidate support, the alliance's victory was compromised by the withdrawal of key allies. The RJD's Tejashwi Yadav had worked to secure votes from the AIMIM and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), but the absence of three Congress MLAs and the RJD's Faisal Rahman proved decisive. The NDA's victory in the fifth seat, contested by Upendra Kushwaha of the Rashtriya Lok Manch and RJD's AD Singh, underscored the impact of these absences. The Congress's failure to maintain unity among its MLAs has been a recurring issue. Sources indicate that three Congress MLAs—Manoj Biswas, Manohar Prasad Singh, and Surendra Kushwaha—were known to be disgruntled within the party, yet their absence during the voting process was not addressed. Tejashwi Yadav accused the BJP of engaging in horse-trading during the elections, claiming that the party's tactics, including direct cash distribution to women voters, outmaneuvered the RJD's efforts.#national_democratic_alliance #tejashwi_yadav #rjd_rank_and_file #rashtriya_janata_dal #congress_ml_as
37 Rajya Sabha Seats Go To Polls Today; Key Leaders Nitish Kumar, Nitin Nabin Contest The Rajya Sabha elections are set for Monday, with voting required for 11 seats in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana, while 26 seats across seven states will go unopposed. A total of 37 seats are up for grabs, including seven in Maharashtra, six in Tamil Nadu, five in West Bengal, three in Assam, and two each in Chhattisgarh, Haryana, and Telangana. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), in power in six states, holds 134 seats, while the opposition Indian National Congress (INC) bloc, governing four states, has 80 seats. The polls are critical for shaping the balance of power in the upper house of Parliament. Key leaders from both major parties are contesting the elections. Nitish Kumar, the former Chief Minister of Bihar and leader of the Janata Dal (United), is vying for a seat in the Rajya Sabha. Similarly, Nitin Nabin, a prominent leader from the Trinamool Congress, is also running in the fray. The outcome of these elections is expected to influence legislative priorities and policy directions in the coming months. The unopposed seats, which account for 26 of the 37, are primarily in states where the ruling party has a clear majority. However, the contested seats in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana are seen as battlegrounds where political alliances and voter sentiment could shift the dynamics. Analysts suggest that the results may reflect the broader political landscape, with the NDA and INC vying for dominance in key states. The elections come at a time of heightened political activity, with both parties mobilizing resources and campaign strategies. The outcome is likely to have implications for the government’s legislative agenda, including major bills and policy initiatives.#rajya_sabha #indian_national_congress #nitish_kumar #nitin_nabin #national_democratic_alliance
Nishant Kumar Set to Enter Active Politics Amid Bihar Rajya Sabha Seat Speculation Senior JD-U leader Shrawan Kumar announced on March 3 that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, will soon enter active politics, fulfilling demands from party members and youth. The statement came as the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) prepares for the Rajya Sabha elections, with five seats in Bihar becoming vacant on April 9. Nominations for these seats can be filed by March 5, with the election scheduled for March 16. The BJP, a key NDA ally, had already announced its candidates for two of the vacant seats: party president Nitin Nabin and Shivesh Kumar. The remaining three seats are contested by the NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan alliance. The NDA, which holds 202 seats in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, is expected to secure four of the Rajya Sabha seats with its current majority. The fifth seat remains a point of contention, with both the NDA and the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) vying for it. Among the NDA’s candidates, JD-U’s Nishant Kumar and Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur are likely to be nominated. The RLM’s Upendra Kushwaha is also expected to be the fifth nominee. JD-U, which has 85 MLAs, may drop Harivansh Narayan Singh, a senior leader and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, from the list. Shrawan Kumar emphasized that Nishant Kumar’s entry into politics would honor the wishes of the public and youth who had long urged him to join active politics. Earlier, JD-U leaders Sanjay Jha, Ashok Choudhary, and others had publicly demanded Nishant Kumar’s involvement. Posters advocating his political participation were also displayed at the JD-U state headquarters in Patna.#nitish_kumar #rajya_sabha_elections #national_democratic_alliance #nishant_kumar #shrawan_kumar
