PATNA, March 15 -- All eyes are now on Monday's Rajya Sabha election for five seats in Bihar, as it includes two big names - Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who has announced to step down to make his debut in the Upper House, and BJP national president Nitin Nabin, a five-term MLA who will also make his debut in the House of Elders.

Rest three from the NDA in the fray are Union minister Ram Nath Thakur, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) leader Upendra Kushwaha, both of whom are sitting members, and debutant Shivesh Kumar of the BJP.

With numbers comfortably stacked in favour of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for four seats and marginally short for the fifth, the Opposition has forced an election by fielding a joint candidate, RJD's ...