Politics
Two Independent MLC Winners Join BJP After Bihar Polls
Two candidates who won as independents in Bihar’s biennial legislative council elections have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Bansi Dhar Brajwasi, elected from the Tirhut graduates’ constituency, and Rahul Raj, elected from the Saran teachers’ constituency, joined the party on Saturday in Patna in the presence of Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, state president Sanjay Sarougi and other leaders. Rahul Raj had previously contested the Saran seat as a BJP rebel and defeated JD(U) candidate Anand Pushkar. Brajwasi secured his second term by defeating JD(U) candidate Abhishek Jha by 9,147 votes. In the final results, the BJP, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and independents each won two seats, while JD(U) and Jan Suraaj Party each won one. The BJP’s addition of the two independents is expected to raise its strength in the council from 26. RJD has called the move illegal, arguing that the induction of legislators who won as independents violates constitutional norms and the anti‑defection law. RJD leaders Shakti Singh Yadav and Ejaj Ahmad have criticized the BJP for poaching legislators and weakening its coalition partner, JD(U).