BJP appoints central observers for RS polls in Bihar, Haryana, Odisha

With the biennial Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for March 16, 2026 , the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday intensified its organisational preparations by appointing central observers for three key states where competitive contests are expected. The election will fill 37 seats across 10 states , with the terms of sitting members ending in April.

BJP national president Nitin Nabin approved the observer appointments, according to a party notification issued by national general secretary Arun Singh. Union Minister Harsh Malhotra and Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma have been named central observers for Bihar , where the contest for one of the five seats is expected to be closely fought. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi has been appointed the central observer for Haryana , and Maharashtra Minister Chandrasekhar Bawankule will serve as central observer for Odisha .

Central observers are tasked with coordinating between the BJP’s state leadership and the national command, monitoring preparations related to the election process, and ensuring organisational discipline during the voting by state legislators.

The Rajya Sabha polls will see intense scrutiny in states such as Bihar, Haryana, and Odisha, where competitive races have emerged. Across the 10 states, 26 of the 37 seats are expected to be filled unopposed , but 11 seats will witness electoral contests , keeping political tensions high in the run‑up to voting.

In Bihar , long‑time political developments have added extra drama to the Rajya Sabha race. Former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has resigned from the state leadership and filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha, setting the stage for shifting regional political equations. Nitish’s move has triggered strategic realignments in the state, with major parties recalibrating their approaches ahead of the vote by legislators.

The overall Rajya Sabha election landscape reflects broader national political dynamics. In several states, heavyweight leaders such as Nitish Kumar and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi are expected to be elected unopposed, while in others, including those where BJP observers have been appointed, the contests are expected to be closely watched.

The results of the March 16 polling and counting will shape the composition of the Upper House, potentially influencing legislative priorities and the balance of power in the Parliament in the months ahead.