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Rajya Sabha Election 2026: 2 seats, 3 candidates and 1 wildcard, can ... Jharkhand Rajya Sabha Election 2026:What should have been a simple contest has turned into a high-stakes political battle in Jharkhand. Despite having a clear numerical advantage, the ruling INDIA bloc is leaving nothing to chance as voting for two Rajya Sabha seats begins. On paper, the INDIA alliance looks comfortable with 56 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly, compared to just 24 held by the BJP-led NDA. But the tension on the ground tells a different story. MLAs have been shifted to hotels, late-night meetings are ongoing, and fears of cross-voting are driving strategies on both sides. Three candidates are contesting for two seats, JMM’s Baidyanath Ram, Congress’s Pranav Jha, and BJP-backed Independent Parimal Nathwani. Under the Rajya Sabha voting system, a candidate needs 28 first-preference votes to win. Baidyanath Ram is expected to comfortably secure the first seat with JMM’s strength. The real contest, however, begins with the second seat. After allocating votes to ensure one victory, the INDIA bloc’s numbers get tighter, opening a window for the NDA. The BJP has strategically backed Parimal Nathwan…

Cross voting helps BJP-backed Independent candidate in Jharkhand win Rajya Sabha polls Parimal Nathwani won the election after Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) legislators cross voted, sources said

Voting begins for election to two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand Three candidates — BJP-backed Independent nominee Parimal Nathwani, JMM's Baidyanath Ram and Pranav Jha of the Congress — are in the fray for the two seats

In blow to Congress, Jharkhand cross-voting hands NDA-backed Parimal Nathwani Rajya Sabha seat NDA-backed Independent Parimal Nathwani secured a Rajya Sabha seat from Jharkhand, defeating Congress's candidate and exposing INDIA bloc divisions. Meanwhile, the ZPM comfortably won Mizoram's lone Upper House seat. Contests in MP, Karnataka, and Rajasthan concluded unopposed with BJP and Congress securing seats.

Voting begins for election to two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. Voting begins for election to two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand India 1 min. Read Voting begins for election to two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand By CurrentIndia.com June 18, 2026 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Polling for two Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand RANCHI: Voting began for the election to two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand on Thursday, amid adequate security arrangements on the assembly premises, an official said.Three candidates – BJP-backed Independent nominee Parimal Nathwani, JMM’s Baidyanath Ram and Pranav Jha of the Congress – are in the fray for the two seats.The voting started at 9 am at a polling station set up in the assembly complex amid fear of cross-voting, and will continue till 4 pm.”All arrangements, including adequate security, are in place to hold the polling peacefully,” the official said, adding that the counting of votes is likely to commence at 5 pm.The BJP-led NDA has 24 MLAs, four short of the minimum of 28 first-preference votes re…

'Jai Shri Ram, ho gya kaam': BJP MLA as cross-voting costs Congress RS seat in Jharkhand In the polls that witnessed cross-voting, Nathwani polled 28 votes, comfortably bypassing Congress's Pranav, who bagged 20 votes. The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Baidyanath Ram was elected to the other seat. Ram received 30 votes in the election, while three votes, two from the BJP and one from the Congress, were found invalid, the official told news agency PTI.

Mizoram Rajya Sabha Election 2026: Voting Begins For Lone Seat As BJP ... Aizawl: Voting began on Thursday for the election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Mizoram with two candidates in the fray, an official said. Candidates in fray The ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) has fielded party spokesperson K Laltluangkima, while the main opposition, Mizo National Front, nominated advocate and writer Zothansangi Hmar for the polls. Also Watch: Parties abstain from voting The BJP and the Congress decided to abstain from voting. Voting and counting schedule Lalthangmawia, the additional secretary in the assembly secretariat, said MLAs are being allowed to vote from 9 am to 4 pm, and the counting will begin at 5 pm. "All logistical and security arrangements are in place for the voting. Counting of votes will be held at the assembly building," he said. Read Also Jharkhand Rajya Sabha Polls Begin Amid Tight Security & Cross-Voting Fears; Battle Intensifies For... Assembly composition In the 40-member Mizoram assembly, the ZPM has 27 legislators, the MNF 10, the BJP two and the Congress one legislator. Leaders opt out Congress MLA C Ngunlianchunga said that he would not cast his vote as su…

Voting Underway For Election To 2 Rajya Sabha Seats In Jharkhand, 1 in ... ETV Bharat / bharat Voting Underway For Election To 2 Rajya Sabha Seats In Jharkhand, 1 in Mizoram; 24 Elected Unopposed In Jharkhand, voting began at 9 am at polling station set up in assembly complex amid concerns about cross-voting. File photo of Parliament Building complex. ( ANI ) By ETV Bharat English Team Published : June 18, 2026 at 10:33 AM IST 4 Min Read Ranchi/Aizawl: Voting began on Thursday for the election to three Rajya Sabha seats, one in Mizoram and two in Jharkhand, as part of the biennial elections to the upper house. In Jharkhand, voting is underway for the election to two Rajya Sabha seats. Three candidates - BJP-backed Independent nominee Parimal Nathwani, JMM’s Baidyanath Ram and Pranav Jha of the Congress - are in the fray for the two seats. 24 Seats Elected Unopposed On June 1, the Election Commission of India issued notifications for elections to 27 Rajya Sabha seats, including 24 vacancies due to retirements in 10 states, and three by-elections in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, necessitated by resignations. The deadline for the withdrawal of nominations was June 11. As multi…

Voting underway for elections to Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand ... Voting has begun in two Rajya Sbaha seats in Jharkhand and one in Mizoram, amid strict security arrangements in the respective assembly premises, news agency PTI reported. BJP-backed Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, JMM’s Baidyanath Ram and Pranav Jha of the Congress are fighting for the two seats in Jharkhand. The BJP-led NDA, with 24 MLAs in the state, which places it short of the minimum of 28 first-preference votes needed in the 81-member assembly to secure a berth in the Upper House of Parliament. Whereas the ruling INDIA bloc, which includes the JMM and the Congress, has 56 members in the state Assembly. JMM’s Baidyanath Ram is likely to emerge as a winner as the party has 34 members in the House. However, the second seat is expected to witness a close fight between Congress’ Jha and NDA-backed Nathwani Among NDA’s 24 MLAs, 21 are from the BJP and one each from the LJP (Ram Vilas), AJSU Party and the JD(U). one MLA represents Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha in the Assembly. In Mizoram, the ruling party Zoram People’s Movement’s (ZPM) K Laltluangkima is in fray against the main opposition M…