{
  "id": 17534598,
  "title": "2 Independents who won Bihar MLC polls join BJP, one had rebelled from party before",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/2-independents-who-won-bihar-mlc-polls-join-bjp-one-had-rebelled-from",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T04:56:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/2-independents-who-won-bihar-mlc-polls-join-bjp-one-had-rebelled-from-party-before-101793505925405.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Bihar's recent biennial elections, two Independent candidates, Bansi Dhar Brajwasi and Rahul Raj, both of whom had previously contested as Independents, joined the BJP. They won the Tirhut graduates and Saran teachers constituencies, respectively. Brajwasi secured a second term, defeating Abhishek Jha of the JD(U) by 9,147 votes. Rahul Raj, who had previously rebelled against the BJP, won the Saran Teachers' constituency by defeating JD(U) candidate Anand Pushkar. The move to join the BJP has drawn criticism from the RJD, who argue it violates constitutional norms as the newly elected legislators have not taken the oath of secrecy. The BJP's decision to accept these Independent legislators is seen as a desperate attempt to bolster their numbers in the state legislative council, following a poor showing in the elections.",
  "summary": "Rahul Raj is a BJP rebel who had fought the key Saran seat as an Independent. He defeated JD(U) candidate Anand Pushkar to win the Saran Teachers’ constituency.",
  "key_points": [
    "Two Independent candidates, Bansi Dhar Brajwasi and Rahul Raj, joined BJP in Bihar MLC polls.",
    "Brajwasi won Tirhut graduates constituency, Rahul Raj won Saran teachers constituency.",
    "BJP accepted these Independents to boost numbers after poor election performance."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Absorbing independent victors into its ranks signals a tactical effort to rebuild legislative strength after a disappointing election performance, even as opposition leaders challenge the constitutional legitimacy of the move.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}