Three candidates file nominations for two Rajya Sabha Seats
Nathwani’s entry turns the contest triangular
Surendra Soren
Ranchi
The nomination process for the Rajya Sabha elections to two seats from Jharkhand concluded on Monday, with three major candidates filing their papers on the final day, turning the contest into a triangular one.
Candidates of the ruling alliance, Baidyanath Ram of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Pranav Jha of the Congress, filed their nominations in the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and senior alliance leaders. The two parties are contesting under a seat-sharing arrangement, with one seat allotted to each.
Industrialist and former Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani also entered the fray as an independent candidate, but with the backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His nomination was supported by BJP chief whip Naveen Jaiswal and senior MLA C.P. Singh, while Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi and around 20 legislators from the BJP, JD(U), and LJP acted as proposers.
Nathwani, who has previously served two terms in the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand, expressed confidence in his victory after filing his nomination. He said he had been in constant touch with the Chief Minister and senior Congress leaders, asserting that he was not an outsider and had worked for the state during his 12-year tenure in the Upper House.
Although BJP leader Gaurav Vallabh and former YSR Congress MP V. Vijayasai Reddy had earlier purchased nomination forms, they did not file their papers.
Initially, the JMM had staked claim to both seats, but later conceded one to the Congress as part of the alliance agreement. The ruling coalition — comprising JMM, Congress, RJD, and Left parties — currently enjoys the support of around 56 MLAs in the Assembly, which is considered sufficient to secure both seats.
However, Nathwani’s entry has raised the possibility of cross-voting, adding an element of uncertainty to the outcome. The opposition bloc, including the BJP and its allies, has the support of around 24 MLAs, falling short of the required numbers for victory without a split in the ruling alliance.
Amid these concerns, there is speculation that the ruling alliance may move its legislators out of the state to prevent cross-voting and ensure the victory of its candidates, particularly Congress nominee Pranav Jha.
One of the seats fell vacant following the demise of veteran JMM leader Shibu Soren, while the other became vacant after the completion of BJP leader Deepak Prakash’s term.
Scrutiny of nominations will take place on June 9, while the last date for withdrawal is June 11. Polling and counting will be held on June 18
