‘Confident to achieve direct tax collection target’: CBDT Chairman

In Rajya Sabha biennial elections, the NDA consolidated its position, winning eight of the 11 contested seats in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana. In Bihar, the NDA secured all five seats, with Nitish Kumar, Nitin Nabin, Ram Nath Thakur, Upendra Kushwaha, and Shivesh Kumar emerging victorious. Outgoing MP Amarendra Dhari Singh was defeated despite reported backing from five AIMIM MLAs and one BSP legislator. In Odisha, the BJP won three of four seats, including Independent Dilip Ray, BJP chief Manmohan Samal, and sitting MP Sujeet Kumar, while BJD’s Santrupt Misra won the remaining seat. The Odisha outcome saw cross-voting, prompting BJD MLA Dibya Shankar Mishra to allege “horse trading,” though Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi celebrated the victory as a step toward a “Samruddha Odisha” and strengthening the state’s influence in the Upper House. Counting in Haryana was delayed due to disputes over alleged vote secrecy violations.