The BJP and JD(U) on Saturday criticised the Congress over the upcoming Bihar Legislative Council elections. The parties said the Congress decision to field candidates against its alliance partner RJD shows a lack of coordination within the Mahagathbandhan. Polling for eight Bihar MLC seats will take place on October 23, 2026.When will the Bihar MLC elections be held?Voting for eight Bihar Legislative Council seats will be held on October 23, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Counting of votes is scheduled for October 27. The terms of the eight sitting MLCs from these constituencies are due to end on November 16. The eight seats include four Graduates’ constituencies — Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Kosi — and four Teachers’ constituencies — Patna, Darbhanga, Tirhut and Saran. The election is being held as a biennial Council poll. Why are BJP and JD(U) questioning the Congress?The BJP and JD(U) have criticised the Congress after it announced five candidates for the MLC elections. The Congress has entered direct contests with the RJD in three constituencies, according to the candidate list. The development has led to criticism from the ruling alliance. The BJP and JD(U) said the decision points to differences among the opposition alliance partners. Their criticism comes ahead of the October 23 polling, when candidates from different parties will compete for the eight Council seats.Where will Congress and RJD face each other?Congress candidates Manoj Kumar Jaiswal, Rajnikant Pathak and Asadullah Khan are set to face RJD candidates in the Kosi Graduates’, Darbhanga Graduates’ and Patna Graduates’ constituencies.Congress has also fielded former Bihar state president Madan Mohan Jha from the Darbhanga Teachers’ constituency. The RJD has not fielded a candidate there. Congress candidate Sanjay Yadav is contesting from the Patna Teachers’ constituency, where the RJD is also not contesting.The Congress announced five candidates after the RJD had already declared candidates for several seats. This has resulted in direct contests between the two parties in three constituencies.Who can vote in these MLC elections?The Bihar MLC polls cover separate Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies. Voters in Graduates’ constituencies must have a recognised university degree based on at least three years of study and must live in the concerned constituency.For Teachers’ constituencies, voters must have at least three years of teaching experience in eligible secondary schools, colleges or universities. Voters in both categories must also be registered on the electoral rolls prepared for these Council elections. The nomination process began on September 29. The last date for filing nominations is October 6, scrutiny will take place on October 7 and candidates can withdraw their nominations until October 9. Polling will be held on October 23, followed by counting on October 27. Also Read : Bihar MLC Polls 2026: BJP Announces Four Candidates for October 23 Election
