Overview
- The two newly elected independents, Rahul Raj and Banshidhar Brajwasi, appeared at the BJP state office on Saturday and were photographed holding party membership slips that party leaders circulated.
- The RJD has formally demanded their disqualification under Paragraph 2(2) of the Tenth Schedule and says it will take evidence to the Bihar Legislative Council chairman, the Election Commission and the courts.
- The BJP and at least one of the MLCs later said the gesture amounted only to lending support rather than formal induction, creating two competing factual narratives around the photographs and receipts.
- Constitutional rules state an independent who joins a party after election can be disqualified and the council chairman has primary authority to decide such questions, with the Election Commission and courts available for review.
- The episode has widened strains inside the NDA by weakening JD(U) morale, could immediately raise the BJP's effective council strength if the two are recognised as members, and may prompt legal rulings that shape future post‑poll recruitment.