NDA Wins Jharkhand Rajya Sabha Seat Amid Ally Cross-Voting
Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani secured a Jharkhand Rajya Sabha seat with NDA backing, defeating Congress nominee Pranav Jha. While JMM candidate Baidyanath Ram won comfortably, cross-voting by RJD and Left legislators fractured the ruling INDIA alliance, boosting the NDA ahead of the upcoming parliamentary session.
Key Highlights
- NDA-supported Independent Parimal Nathwani won the second Rajya Sabha seat with 28 valid votes.
- JMM nominee Baidyanath Ram secured his seat comfortably by capturing 31 votes.
- Cross-voting by four RJD and two CPI(ML) legislators caused the defeat of Congress candidate Pranav Jha.
- The legislative shift strengthens the NDA numerical baseline ahead of key constitutional voting in Parliament.
While JMM nominee Baidyanath Ram comfortably secured a seat, independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, backed by the BJP-led NDA, defeated Congress candidate Pranav Jha in a closely watched contest.
Ram received 31 votes, Nathwani secured 28 valid votes, while Jha managed 19 valid votes. Three votes were declared invalid during the final evaluation.
As per intelligence sources, MLAs from the RJD and CPI(ML), both part of the broader opposition alliance in the state, voted in favour of Nathwani. The RJD has four MLAs in the Jharkhand Assembly, while CPI(ML) has two.
Congress falls short despite support from JMM
According to the voting pattern, the Congress candidate received support from the party’s 16 MLAs and four legislators from ally Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
The JMM, which has 34 MLAs in the Assembly, used two additional votes to ensure the victory of its own candidate, Baidyanath Ram. The remaining votes were distributed among alliance partners.
The result exposed cracks within the opposition camp, with the alleged cross-voting proving decisive in Nathwani’s victory. Congress state leaders openly alleged betrayal and suggested financial inducements were deployed to influence legislators.
Nathwani thanks PM Modi, BJP leadership
Following his win, Nathwani, who will enter the Upper House for a fourth term, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders for their support.
“Deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the fourth term as the Member of Rajya Sabha. This moment is filled with profound emotion,” Nathwani wrote on X.
He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP leader Nitin Nabin and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He labeled the state his karmabhoomi.
Result seen as boost for NDA ahead of Monsoon session
The victory comes at a politically significant time, with Parliament’s monsoon session approaching and the government expected to revive key legislative proposals, including women’s reservation and delimitation-related measures.
Political observers view the Jharkhand result as part of a broader trend that could strengthen the NDA‘s position in Parliament, particularly amid developments in West Bengal and Maharashtra that could alter the numerical balance between the ruling alliance and the Opposition.
NDA eyes stronger numbers in Parliament
The NDA currently has 298 members in the Lok Sabha, compared to the Opposition’s 184. Another 38 MPs are considered non-aligned.
To pass a Constitutional Amendment Bill, the government requires a two-thirds majority.
With possible realignments in the Trinamool Congress and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction, the NDA is expected to gain additional support, potentially narrowing the gap needed for such legislation.
In the Rajya Sabha, the NDA currently holds 150 seats. A two-thirds majority in the Upper House requires 164 members, based on the current effective strength of 245 MPs.
The Jharkhand Rajya Sabha result is therefore being seen as a symbolic as well as numerical boost for the ruling alliance ahead of a crucial parliamentary session.
Karnataka MLC Election Cross-Voting
The cross-voting phenomenon extended beyond Jharkhand into parallel state contests. In the Karnataka Legislative Council elections, the ruling Congress capitalized on opposition fracturing to win five of the seven seats up for vote, while the BJP secured only two.
The results exposed structural rifts within the BJP and JD(S) alliance. Congress candidates pulled 151 votes, which was 11 ballots more than their baseline strength of 140. Reports indicate that three BJP legislators and eight JD(S) lawmakers crossed party lines to support Congress candidates, signaling internal discontent with regional opposition leadership.
FAQs
Who won the Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand?
Baidyanath Ram of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, who ran with the backing of the National Democratic Alliance, won the two vacant Rajya Sabha seats.
How many votes did each candidate receive in the Jharkhand poll?
Baidyanath Ram secured 31 votes, Parimal Nathwani obtained 28 valid votes, and Congress nominee Pranav Jha received 19 valid votes. A total of three votes were disqualified.
Why did the Congress candidate lose the election?
Despite nominal alliance support, Congress candidate Pranav Jha lost because six allied legislators from the RJD and CPI(ML) cross-voted in favor of the NDA-backed independent candidate.
What is the current seat share of the NDA in the Rajya Sabha?
The National Democratic Alliance holds 150 seats in the Upper House, out of the current effective house strength of 245 members.
