Patna, May 29 (IANS) Upon returning to Patna from a two-day visit to Delhi, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary went directly from the airport to the residence at 7 Circular Road, where he met former Chief Minister and JD(U) National President Nitish Kumar on Friday.

The meeting between the two leaders lasted for more than 15 minutes.

During the discussion, JD(U) National Executive President Sanjay Jha was also present at Nitish Kumar’s residence.

According to sources, the leaders deliberated on the upcoming Bihar Legislative Council elections.

Samrat Choudhary is also said to have briefed Nitish Kumar about his recent Delhi visit, during which he held meetings with several leaders of the NDA alliance.

The meeting has drawn political attention as it came a day after Nitish Kumar reportedly asked Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary to submit a report regarding the functioning of the government, triggering political speculation in the state.

Sources indicate that discussions during the meeting also revolved around seat-sharing arrangements for the Legislative Council elections.

Elections are scheduled for 10 seats in the Bihar Legislative Council, with the NDA expected to dominate the contest based on its numerical strength in the Assembly.

According to political estimates, the BJP is likely to secure four seats, while the JD(U) is expected to get three seats.

One seat each is expected to go to the parties led by Upendra Kushwaha and Chirag Paswan.

It is being reported that Upendra Kushwaha plans to send his son, Deepak Prakash, to the Legislative Council.

Deepak Prakash is currently serving as a minister without being a member of either House of the legislature.

At the same time, speculation is also growing regarding the possible entry of Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, into the Legislative Council.

Nishant Kumar currently serves as the Health Minister and is not a member of either legislative House.

The names of the remaining candidates are yet to be finalised.

Political observers are viewing Samrat Choudhary’s immediate meeting with Nitish Kumar after his return from Delhi as a significant development in the context of the upcoming Council polls.

By-elections for nine vacant seats in the Bihar Legislative Council, along with the seat vacated by Nitish Kumar, are scheduled to be held on June 18.

Based on the current strength of parties in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the NDA is expected to comfortably win nine out of the ten seats, while one seat is likely to go to the RJD.

However, political analysts believe that if the NDA decides to field candidates on all 10 seats, a contest similar to the recent Rajya Sabha elections could emerge.

–IANS

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