Jharkhand: NDA-backed candidate wins Rajya Sabha seat amid cross-voting
What's the story
Independent candidate Parimal Nathwani, backed by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has won one of the two Rajya Sabha seats from Jharkhand. He defeated Congress candidate Pranav Jha with 28 votes against Jha's 20. The other seat was won by ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Baidyanath Ram, who polled 30 votes.
Election details
3 votes declared invalid due to cross-voting
The election for the two Rajya Sabha seats was held on Thursday, with all 81 MLAs voting at a designated polling station in the Assembly premises. However, three votes were declared invalid due to cross-voting: two by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs and one by a Congress legislator. The BJP-led NDA has 24 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly, falling short of the 28 first-preference votes needed for a Rajya Sabha seat.
Career milestone
Nathwani's historic 4th term in Rajya Sabha
Nathwani's victory is a testament to cross-voting in his favor, considering the NDA's strength. His win also ensured representation for the ruling alliance in Parliament's Upper House. This election marks Nathwani's historic fourth term in the Rajya Sabha and his third term from Jharkhand after serving two consecutive terms as an Independent MP between 2008 and 2020.
Post-victory statement
Nathwani thanks PM, Shah after victory
After his victory, Nathwani thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other BJP leaders for their support. In a post on X, he expressed deep emotions about this moment, as it marked his third term representing Jharkhand, the state where his parliamentary journey began in 2008, calling the state his "karmabhoomi." He had earlier been elected to the Upper House from Andhra Pradesh in 2020.