SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, June 6: Political activity has intensified ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections for two seats from Jharkhand, scheduled for June 18. While the Congress has announced Pranav Jha as its candidate, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has named senior leader Baidyanath Ram as its nominee for the Upper House.
JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya announced Ram’s candidature, describing him as a senior party leader and vice president of the JMM central committee. A prominent Scheduled Caste leader, Ram has also served as a minister in the Jharkhand government.
Baidyanath Ram is scheduled to file his nomination on June 8 in the presence of JMM president and Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The announcement has sparked fresh political discussions across the state.
From Teacher to Minister to Rajya Sabha Nominee
Baidyanath Ram’s political journey has been marked by several transitions, taking him from the classroom to the corridors of power.
Born in 1967, Ram spent his childhood in Dhobi Mohalla near Shaheed Chowk in Latehar district. He received his early education in his village before completing his matriculation and intermediate studies at Balak High School, Latehar. He later earned a degree in Political Science from Banwari Sahu College.
After completing his education, Ram worked as a teacher at Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir in Latehar for three years. During this period, he developed a keen interest in politics and gradually became active in public life.
Early Political Career and Rise in State Politics
Initially associated with the RSS and BJP, Ram emerged as a prominent BJP leader in Latehar by 2000 and was considered a strong contender for an Assembly ticket. When the BJP did not nominate him, he prepared to contest as an independent candidate.
However, on the advice of former Assembly Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari, he contested the election on a JD(U) ticket. He won the election by defeating RJD candidate Prakash Ram and entered the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly for the first time.
In the government led by Babulal Marandi, Ram served as Sports Minister and also handled the Prohibition and Health portfolios.
Ahead of the 2005 Assembly elections, he returned to the BJP, won the election, and later served as Jharkhand’s Education Minister.
Shift to JMM and Return to the Political Spotlight
RJD’s Prakash Ram defeated Ram in the 2009 Assembly elections and did not contest the 2014 elections. A decade later, after being denied a BJP ticket for the 2019 Assembly elections, he joined the JMM and successfully won the election as the party’s candidate.
However, he suffered a defeat in the 2024 Assembly elections against BJP candidate Prakash Ram. Despite the setback, his nomination to the Rajya Sabha marks a significant milestone in his political career.
JMM Yet to Announce Candidate for Second Seat
The JMM has not yet revealed its candidate for the second Rajya Sabha seat. Responding to questions from the media, Supriyo Bhattacharya said the party leadership had taken its decision after assessing all political circumstances.
Jharkhand will elect representatives to two Rajya Sabha seats on June 18. The JMM-led alliance is currently in power in the state, and the ruling party is reportedly keen to secure both seats.
The Congress, however, has argued that as a key alliance partner with its own legislative strength, it should be allotted one of the two seats. The party has already announced Pranav Jha as its nominee.
BJP Yet to Announce Its Candidate
The BJP has not yet announced its candidate, keeping political speculation alive. It remains unclear whether the party will field an official nominee or support an independent candidate.
Industrialist Parimal Nathwani is among the names being widely discussed in political circles, although the BJP has not made any official statement regarding its strategy.