Two Rajya Sabha Seats Elected in Jharkhand Amid Fears of Cross-Voting
Voting for two Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand concluded with Baidyanath Ram and Parimal Nathwani elected. The ruling INDIA alliance holds 56 MLAs, while the BJP-led NDA has 24. A candidate needs 28 first-preference votes to win. Fears of cross-voting preceded the election.
Voting began for two Rajya Sabha seats in Jharkhand, with three candidates contesting: BJP-backed Independent nominee Parimal Nathwani, JMM's Baidyanath Ram, and Congress's Pranav Jha. Baidyanath Ram was elected to one seat, receiving 30 votes, and Parimal Nathwani was elected to the other, receiving 28 votes. Pranav Jha received 20 votes. Three votes were found invalid. A candidate needs 28 first-preference votes to win a Rajya Sabha seat in Jharkhand’s 81-member Assembly. The ruling INDIA alliance has 56 MLAs, and the BJP-led NDA has 24 MLAs. According to Indian Express, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has 34 MLAs, and among the BJP-led NDA’s 24 MLAs, 21 are from the BJP, one each from the LJP (Ram Vilas), AJSU Party, and JD(U), and one represents Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha. The BJP and NDA allies openly supported Parimal Nathwani. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren expressed confidence that Parimal Nathwani would win. MLAs have been shifted to hotels in Jharkhand ahead of the election, and late-night meetings are ongoing, according to News24Online. Fears of cross-voting were reported ahead of the election.
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