TWO INDEPENDENT MLC JOIN THE BJP

TWO INDEPENDENT MLC JOIN THE BJP

1-NOV-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA---------------------------A significant political development has once again unfolded in Bihar. Two Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs)—who had won their respective seats as independent candidates—have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These individuals represent the Saran Teachers' constituency and the Tirhut Graduates' constituency.

The political landscape in Bihar is abuzz with this latest development, as two independent MLCs have officially joined the BJP. The two leaders are Rahul Raj, who won from the Saran Teachers' constituency, and Banshidhar Brajvasi, who emerged victorious from the Tirhut Graduates' constituency.

For Rahul Raj, who won the Saran Teachers' seat as an independent, this marks a return to the party fold. He had previously been expelled from his party after contesting the election as an independent against Anand Pushkar—a candidate from the Janata Dal (United), an ally within the NDA coalition.

Before joining the BJP, Rahul Raj met with Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, with MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy also present. Following the meeting, Rahul Raj clarified that his decision to contest as an independent was not directed against any specific alliance or party, but rather stemmed from ideological differences. He also raised several critical issues concerning teachers with the Deputy Chief Minister, receiving a positive assurance from the government in response.

As part of this political realignment, Banshidhar Brajvasi—who won the Tirhut Graduates' constituency as an independent—has also joined the BJP. During the counting of votes for the Legislative Council election, Brajvasi secured a resounding victory, defeating his opponent by a substantial margin of over 9,000 votes. The joining of the BJP by these two independent MLCs has further strengthened the party's numerical and political standing in the Bihar Legislative Council, while also fueling discussions about new political equations within the state's political circles.