JMM names Sarfaraz Ahmad as Rajya Sabha candidate from Jharkhand

Ranchi: In the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls in Jharkhand, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has put forward the name of Sarfaraz Ahmad as its candidate. Sarfaraz Ahmad, the former MLA from Gandey Assembly Constituency, resigned from his Assembly membership on December 31.

Simultaneously, the Central Election Committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has selected Dr. Pradeep Verma, the State BJP General Secretary, as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha polls scheduled on March 21 in the state. The notification, issued by BJP National General Secretary and headquarters in-charge Arun Singh, confirms the approval of Dr. Pradeep Verma’s candidacy.

In the 2019 Jharkhand Assembly elections, the Gandey Assembly seat was allocated to the JMM as part of the Congress-JMM-RJD alliance. Sarfaraz Ahmad, initially associated with the Congress, later joined the JMM, securing his candidacy from Gandey.

With over 50 years of political experience, Sarfaraz Ahmad has held various positions within the Congress party. The announcements of these two candidates, Sarfaraz Ahmad and Dr. Pradeep Verma, suggest a likely victory for both in the upcoming elections.

The Jharkhand Assembly comprises 81 members, with the Congress-JMM-RJD alliance holding 47 MLAs, while the NDA has the support of at least 31 legislators. The nomination of Dr. Pradeep Verma by the BJP and Sarfaraz Ahmad by the JMM indicates a competitive yet anticipated contest in the Rajya Sabha elections.