Jharkhand: INDIA Bloc flexes strength in Rajya Sabha race

JMM’s Baidyanath Ram, Cong’s Pranav Jha, Independent Parimal Nathwani file nominations for RS poll

Hemant Backs Baijnath, Kalpana Leads Support for Pranav; Babulal, Saryu and Champai Rally Behind Nathwani

Mail News Service

Ranchi, June 8: Displaying a strong show of unity ahead of the June 18 Rajya Sabha elections, candidates of the ruling INDIA bloc on Monday filed their nominations for two seats from Jharkhand, with Chief Minister Hemant Soren, senior alliance leaders and legislators turning the occasion into a demonstration of political solidarity.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) nominee Baijnath Ram and Congress candidate Pranav Jha submitted their nomination papers at the Assembly amid the presence of a large contingent of alliance leaders, ministers and MLAs.

Congress central observer and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also joined the exercise, underscoring the importance the alliance has attached to the contest.
In a carefully choreographed display of cohesion, legislators and leaders of the JMM, Congress and RJD arrived together at the Assembly before the nomination process.

The move was widely seen as an attempt to send a clear political message that the alliance remains united despite recent disagreements over seat-sharing and candidate selection.
The filing of nominations comes days after reports of differences within the ruling coalition regarding the distribution of the two Rajya Sabha seats. While sections of the JMM had initially staked claim to both seats, prolonged consultations among senior leaders eventually resulted in a consensus formula, paving the way for a joint campaign.

At a meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residence on Sunday, alliance legislators formally endorsed both candidates and resolved to ensure their victory. Leaders emerging from the meeting expressed confidence that the coalition possesses adequate numerical strength to secure both seats and dismissed speculation of cross-voting.

“The alliance is united and all legislators are committed to supporting the official candidates,” leaders of the coalition reiterated, seeking to project stability ahead of the election.
Meanwhile, BJP-backed candidate Parimal Nathwani also filed his nomination on Monday, accompanied by BJP and allied legislators, setting the stage for a closely watched contest.
Voting for the two Rajya Sabha seats will take place on June 18, with counting and declaration of results scheduled for the same day. While the INDIA bloc is banking on its legislative strength to retain both seats, the nomination process has already transformed into a political battle of optics, numbers and unity ahead of the crucial election.

Nathwani’s entry turns RS contest into three-cornered battle

Mail News Service

Ranchi, June 8: The biennial Rajya Sabha election in Jharkhand has taken an interesting turn with industrialist Parimal Nathwani entering the fray as an Independent candidate backed by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
His candidature has set the stage for a keen contest for the two Upper House seats from the state, with the ruling INDIA bloc and the NDA now locked in a high-stakes political battle.
Nathwani filed his nomination on Monday, the final day for submission of papers, after holding consultations with BJP legislators and leaders of allied parties.
Ahead of filing his nomination, he visited the residence of BJP MLA Navin Jaiswal in Ranchi, where discussions were held with NDA leaders regarding electoral strategy and support.
Speaking to reporters, Nathwani exuded confidence about his prospects, though he refrained from commenting on the numerical strength of supporting legislators.
“I am an old Jharkhandi and people here have seen my work. I am confident of winning the election and getting another opportunity to serve the state,” he said.
A seasoned parliamentarian, Nathwani has previously represented Jharkhand in the Rajya Sabha for two terms. He highlighted the developmental initiatives undertaken during his earlier tenure and expressed hope that legislators would support him on the basis of his contribution to the state’s growth and welfare.
Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi defended the NDA’s decision to back Nathwani, describing him as a proven and experienced candidate. Marandi said the BJP, after assessing the prevailing political arithmetic, chose to support Nathwani as it did not have sufficient numbers to independently secure a Rajya Sabha berth.
“Nathwani is a tested candidate who has represented Jharkhand effectively in the Rajya Sabha. The decision has been taken keeping the larger political situation in mind,” Marandi said.
However, Nathwani’s candidature drew sharp criticism from leaders of the ruling alliance. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and state minister Sudivya Kumar alleged that the BJP was attempting to engineer defections and indulge in horse-trading through the Rajya Sabha election process.
Similar allegations were echoed by Jharkhand Congress in-charge K. Raju, who accused the BJP of trying to influence the democratic mandate through political manoeuvring.
The ruling INDIA bloc has fielded Pranav Jha of the Congress and Baijnath Ram of the JMM for the two seats. With Nathwani’s entry as the NDA-backed Independent candidate, the contest has become significantly more competitive, adding a new dimension to the upcoming election scheduled for June 18.
Political observers believe the presence of a third candidate could make every vote crucial and intensify lobbying efforts in the days leading up to polling.
The election is now being closely watched for possible cross-voting and shifting political equations, making it one of the most keenly contested Rajya Sabha battles in recent years in Jharkhand.