Parimal Nathwani returns to Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand; Congress suffers shock defeat
Ranchi, June 18: Veteran politician and industrialist Parimal Nathwani made a successful return to the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand on Thursday, while…
Ranchi, June 18: Veteran politician and industrialist Parimal Nathwani made a successful return to the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand on Thursday, while the Congress suffered a major setback as its candidate Pranav Jha lost despite the ruling alliance’s numerical strength in the Assembly.
Nathwani, backed by the NDA, and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Baidyanath Ram emerged victorious in the election to the state’s two Rajya Sabha seats. The outcome is being viewed as a significant political embarrassment for the Congress amid allegations of cross-voting within the INDIA bloc. However, the EC was yet to declare the result official till writing of the report.
All 81 MLAs in the Jharkhand Assembly cast their votes. Two votes were declared invalid, altering the electoral equation. According to sources, Nathwani secured 30 votes, while Baidyanath Ram received 29.
Cross-voting allegations hit Congress
The defeat of Congress candidate Pranav Jha has triggered fresh questions about cohesion within the ruling alliance.
Sources claimed that four RJD MLAs and two CPI(ML) legislators did not support the Congress nominee and instead voted for Nathwani. The alleged cross-voting is widely believed to have played a decisive role in the outcome.
The result comes as a blow to the Congress, which had hoped to secure one of the two Rajya Sabha seats with the backing of alliance partners.
Nathwani stages a strong comeback
Nathwani’s victory marks his return to the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand after previously representing the state between 2008 and 2020. He later served as a Rajya Sabha member from Andhra Pradesh.
With the NDA holding only 24 seats in the 81-member Assembly and 28 votes required for victory, Nathwani’s win was largely dependent on support from outside the alliance, underlining the significance of the reported cross-voting.
Baidyanath Ram’s win boosts JMM
The election of Baidyanath Ram is being seen as an important political achievement for Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the JMM.
Party leaders believe his elevation to the Upper House will strengthen the JMM’s outreach among Scheduled Caste communities ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. Observers also view the move as part of the party’s strategy to broaden its support base beyond its traditional tribal constituency.
Political impact
The Rajya Sabha result is expected to have wider political ramifications in Jharkhand.
While the NDA has gained momentum through Nathwani’s victory, the Congress is likely to seek answers from its allies over the alleged cross-voting. The outcome could also influence future alliance negotiations and seat-sharing discussions ahead of the Assembly elections.
At the same time, the JMM is expected to project Baidyanath Ram’s victory as evidence of its commitment to social representation and inclusive politics.
