Parties deploy special agents as Rajya Sabha contest heads for a close finish in Jharkhand

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Ranchi: Political activity has intensified ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections for two seats in Jharkhand, with every vote assuming critical importance. The main contest is being seen between NDA-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani and Congress nominee Pranav Jha. Amid concerns over possible cross-voting, political parties have deployed special agents to closely monitor the voting process.

To ensure party discipline and transparency during polling, parties have appointed agents at three levels. Party agents, considered the primary checkers, will verify ballots shown by legislators before they are cast to ensure votes are being marked in favour of the authorised candidate. Polling agents will maintain records of legislators who have voted and those yet to cast their ballots. Counting agents will remain present during the vote count and intervene in case of any dispute.

Congress has entrusted the responsibility to senior national leaders instead of local functionaries. Party in-charge K. Raju and Rajya Sabha MP Bela Prasad have been appointed as party agents to oversee voting by legislators. The move comes amid political speculation over possible defections and cross-voting.

The BJP has already shifted its legislators to a hotel in Ranchi as part of its strategy to keep the flock together ahead of voting. The party has assigned Amar Bauri and Naveen Jaiswal as party agents responsible for scrutinising ballots. Vikas Preetam and Anant Ojha will serve as polling agents, while Bhanu Pratap Shahi and Raj Sinha have been entrusted with counting responsibilities.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has appointed minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu and party general secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey as party agents. Mithilesh Thakur and Phagu Besra will act as polling agents. The party has been projecting confidence with its slogan claiming support beyond the alliance’s official strength.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has assigned Bhola Yadav to oversee polling, monitoring and counting related to its four legislators, while CPI(ML) has appointed Gayatri Mandal and Haldhar Mahato as polling and counting agents.

Under the Rajya Sabha election rules, a legislator’s vote is not automatically invalidated if the ballot is shown to an authorised party agent. However, if a legislator votes against the party line, the party can identify the member and may subsequently approach the Assembly Speaker seeking action under anti-defection provisions. The possibility of cross-voting remains one of the key factors being watched closely in the election.