Bihar Council Polls: RJD Breaks 30-Year Jinx in Patna
RJD breaks 30-year drought in Patna as Bihar Legislative Council election results reveal major shifts in teacher and graduate seats.
The results for the Bihar Legislative Council election results have sparked a political earthquake, particularly within the teacher constituencies. After voting took place on October 23, 2026, and counting commenced on October 27, the final tallies for the teacher segments have revealed a dramatic shift in power, while the battle for the graduate seats continues to unfold.
The Big Upset: RJD Reclaims Patna
In a historic turn of events, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has secured a victory in the Patna teacher constituency. Candidate Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Yadav defeated the incumbent BJP leader, Naval Kishore Yadav, by a margin of 1,057 votes. This win is particularly significant as it marks the first time in nearly three decades that the RJD has captured this specific seat, signaling a major shift in the sentiment among the teaching community in the capital.
Teacher Constituency: Who Won Where?
While the RJD celebrated in Patna, other seats saw a mix of party victories and independent triumphs:
- Tirhut: The BJP maintained its grip here, with Narendra Prasad Singh emerging victorious.
- Darbhanga: In a tight contest, Suresh Ray of the Jan Suraj Party defeated Congress MLC Madan Mohan Jha by a narrow margin of 324 votes.
- Saran: Independent candidate Dr. Rahul Raj secured a convincing win with a margin of 1,815 votes.
Graduate Seats: The Battle Continues
As of October 28, the counting for the four graduate constituencies is still underway, with several high-stakes races remaining undecided:
Patna Graduate Seat
JDU candidate Neeraj Kumar currently holds a lead of 2,279 votes, staying ahead of RJD's Dilip Patel and Jan Suraj’s Anuj Singh.
Tirhut Graduate Seat
An independent candidate, Banshidhar Brajwasi, is leading the pack by 1,074 votes, with JDU’s Abhishek Jhain trailing in second place.
Kosi and Darbhanga Graduate Seats
In the Kosi segment, BJP's Dr. NK Yadav—a two-time MLC eyeing a third term—is currently leading in first-preference votes. Meanwhile, in Darbhanga, initial trends point toward a lead for RJD’s Anil Kumar Jha, though BJP’s Sarvesh Kumar remains a strong contender.
Controversies and Chaos at Counting Centers
The election process was not without friction. In Patna, candidates from the RJD, Congress, and Jan Suraj raised serious objections regarding the absence of CCTV cameras during the counting process. While the Patna District Magistrate clarified that CCTV monitoring is not a standard protocol for these specific elections, the tension remained high.
Adding to the drama, reports emerged of clashes between Jan Suraj workers and government employees outside the counting center. This follows a pre-election move by the RJD, which had submitted a list of 10 demands to the Chief Electoral Officer, including the verification of ballot papers and restrictions on the use of violet pens to ensure total transparency.
Understanding the Legislative Council
The Bihar Legislative Council operates on an indirect election system. Members are elected by specific electorates: teachers with at least three years of experience and graduates who finished their degrees more than three years ago.
MLCs serve a six-year term, with one-third of the house retiring every two years. The terms for the current incumbents are set to expire on November 16, 2026, making these results pivotal for the composition of the upper house.