New Delhi, March 17 -- The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a sweeping victory in the Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar, winning all five seats from the state. Among those elected were Bihar's longest-serving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Nitin Nabin, National President of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

Other successful candidates from Bihar included Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur of the Janata Dal (United) and Upendra Kushwaha, chief of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Both sitting members were re-elected to the Upper House. Shivesh Kumar of the Bharatiya Janata Party also won a seat and will enter the Rajya Sabha for the first time.

In Odisha, the BJP won three seats. The winners include independent candidate Dilip Ray, who was su...