PATNA, March 7 -- Rajya Sabha (RS) election for five seats is heading toward voting on March 16, the first in over ten years. The entry of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate Amarendra Dhari Singh, a prominent businessman, has upended what many expected to be a smooth sail for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), forcing a showdown in the state assembly where cross-voting whispers are already stirring echoes of past political drama.

The nominations, filed yesterday, pit five NDA heavyweights against Singh's solo bid from the Opposition. Leading the pack is chief minister Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United), who is eyeing a shift to the Upper House. He's joined by BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Union minister Ram Nath ...