RJD and JSP call for disqualification of independent MLCs who ‘joined’ BJP

Brajwasi and Rahul with party receipt after joining the BJP. November 1, 2026

Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha called for the disqualification of two newly elected Independent MLCs (Rahul Raj and Banshidhar Brajwasi) on Sunday (November 1, 2026) for reportedly “joining the BJP”. He sought the urgent intervention of the Bihar Legislative Council chairman in the matter.

A day earlier, the Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had issued a press statement saying both had joined the party, along with pictures that showed membership receipts. However, after a controversy erupted, both MLCs denied joining the party, claiming they had merely offered to back the BJP.

Mr. Jha said that under India’s Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule of the Constitution), an independent Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) or Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) cannot join any political party after being elected.

Addressing the press at the state RJD headquarters Mr. Jha, Rajya Sabha MP and national chief spokesperson of the party, demanded that the acting Chairman of the Legislative Council, Ram Bachan Rai, disqualify the newly elected MLCs.

Presenting videos and photographs of both MLCs allegedly joining the BJP, Mr. Jha said that they have violated the anti-defection law and their memberships should be terminated.

“We will approach the Acting Chairman and demand the disqualification of these two Legislative Council members,”Mr. Jha said.

He said if no decision is taken regarding their disqualification, the controversy will snowball out of control.

Citing Paragraph 2(2) of the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, Mr. Jha explained that if an individual is elected as an independent candidate without being fielded by any political party and subsequently joins a political party, they shall be deemed disqualified from membership of the House.

Mr. Jha described the situation not merely as “theft of votes”, but as a “robbery of the public mandate”.

Targeting Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the RJD leader said that this serves as a test for all of them. He added if such activities are shielded or encouraged, the entire matter would be exposed before the public.

He suggested that this sequence of events should also be viewed in the context of the political power balance between the BJP and the Janata Dal (United), alleging that the BJP is attempting to expand its own political influence in Bihar while simultaneously weakening its alliance partner, the JD(U). He pointed out that in the constituencies where the independents won, the JD(U) candidates lost.

Banshidhar Brajwasi defeated the JD(U) candidate Abhishek Jha from Tirhut Graduate seat by a margin of over 9,000 votes while Rahul Raj defeated JD(U) candidate Anand Pushkar from Saran Teachers seat by a margin of 1,800 votes.

Mr. Jha warned that they would escalate the issue further — from the ECI to the courts. “If the acting Chairman fails to take an immediate and impartial decision on this matter, the issue will be taken to court, as well as to the court of the people,” Mr. Jha said.

Kumar Saurabh, a national spokesperson of the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) echoed Mr. Jha’s feelings while addressing the press in Patna asserting that both MLCs will lose their MLC status.

He added that JSP intends to submit a petition to the Chairman of the Legislative Council and also approach the courts.

“BJP inducting independent MLCs is making a mockery of the Constitution,”, Mr. Saurabh said. He alleged that regardless of how an election is conducted or what the results are, the BJP manages to tilt the outcome in its favor using money, state power, and influence.