Several leaders from different political parties across India filed their nomination papers on Thursday (March 5, 2026) for the upcoming biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha.
In Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP president Nitin Nabin were among five NDA candidates who submitted their nomination papers. The other NDA candidates included BJP State general secretary Shivesh Kumar, JD(U) leader Ram Nath Thakur, and RLM leader Upendra Kushwaha.
However, the move drew criticism from opposition leaders. Sachin Pilot of the Indian National Congress questioned Nitish Kumar’s decision and alleged that it might have been taken under pressure.
In Tamil Nadu, several leaders also filed their nominations. They included Tiruchi Siva and J. Constandine Ravindran from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK); M. Thambidurai from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK); Anbumani Ramadoss from the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK); M. Christopher Tilak from the Congress party; and L. K. Sudhish from the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).
In Maharashtra, six candidates from the ruling Mahayuti alliance filed their nominations for seven Rajya Sabha seats. These included Union Minister Ramdas Athawale and BJP leader Vinod Tawde. From the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, senior leader Sharad Pawar also filed his nomination.
Among the Mahayuti alliance partners, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielded four candidates. Its ally Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) nominated Parth Pawar, son of Ajit Pawar. The Shiv Sena gave a ticket to its spokesperson Jyoti Waghmare for the Upper House elections.
With nominations filed across several States, the stage is now set for the Rajya Sabha elections, as parties prepare for the next phase of the political process.