Congress and JMM Hold Talks With CM Hemant Soren Over Jharkhand RS Polls

Ranchi (IANS): Political activity intensified in Jharkhand ahead of the June 18 Rajya Sabha elections for two seats. Congress leaders met with Chief Minister Hemant Soren at his residence for nearly three hours on Friday to deliberate on seat-sharing and candidate selection.

During the meeting, leaders strategized how to ensure the victory of alliance nominees in both seats. However, the attendees failed to reach a final consensus on seat-sharing or candidate selection.

The attendees included Congress Jharkhand in-charge K. Raju, co-in-charge Dr. Sirivella Prasad, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and Jharkhand Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh.

Congress leaders reportedly told the Chief Minister that alliance norms dictate that the JMM allocate one Rajya Sabha seat to their party. While the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has not yet clarified its official stand, several senior JMM leaders argue that the party should field candidates for both seats.

Meanwhile, both parties continue internal deliberations over potential candidates. The JMM is currently discussing the names of Kalpana Soren (the Chief Minister’s wife), his sister Anjani Soren, former MLA Kunal Sarangi, and former minister Mithilesh Thakur.

In the Congress camp, hopefuls have accelerated their lobbying efforts. Sources indicate the party may choose a final name from a list that includes former Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, former state president Rajesh Thakur, current state president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh, former minister Banna Gupta, Furkan Ansari, Pradeep Balmuchu, and Dhiraj Sahu.

Interestingly, former working president Shehzada Anwar—who lost the 2020 Rajya Sabha election as the Congress candidate—staked his claim once again by writing directly to party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Congress in-charge K. Raju stated that the party will not field an outsider in this election. Instead, they will choose a local leader from Jharkhand who possesses a strong grassroots presence and organizational backing.

The Election Commission of India announced on May 22 that it will hold Rajya Sabha elections for 24 seats across 10 states on June 18. Voters will elect four members each in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka; three each in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan; two in Jharkhand; and one each in Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram.